The Government of the Azores presented today the "Shelter, Develop and Integrate" Programme. This initiative aims to stimulate the school success of children and youngsters living in Temporary Shelter Centres and in Children and Youth Homes.

During the presentation of the programme in Angra do Heroísmo, the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stressed that with this initiative, "the Government acknowledges the value of good educational practices and the educational achievement of youngsters sheltered in institutions."

Piedade Lalanda stressed that this programme is neither intended to expose students publicly nor to heighten to increase their vulnerability, but rather to "encourage the institutions that youngsters to assess the way how they support them and contribute to their school success."

"The State, through the children and youth shelters that signed cooperation protocols with the Social Security, has the duty to protect, provide an education to all those who are forced to live away from families and monitor their development," stated the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity.

In this regard, the government official reiterated that the State and these institutions have the "duty to defend the rights of children and youngsters, especially their right to education."

By creating this programme, the Regional Government demonstrates, "once again, its political commitment to the implementation and consolidation of practices and measures that promote a safe and protective environment for children," stressed Piedade Lalanda.

"Children and youngsters living in shelters are entitled to have more than a home; they are also entitled to benefit from learning conditions that will help them succeeding in school and throughout their lives," said the Regional Secretary.

Under this initiative, the Government of the Azores also created the "I Invest in My Future" Prize, which aims to distinguish the academic and educational achievement of children and youngsters.

The awarding of the prize to distinguish children and youngsters who have attended middle school and junior high school or the Youth Integration Training Programme (PROFIJ) - level 2 will take into consideration several criteria, especially school results. It consists of a laptop and a certificate of achievement.

In turn, students who have attended secondary school or the Youth Integration Training Programme (PROFIJ) - level 4 will receive a deposit of 500 Euros and a certificate of achievement.

In order to apply for the award, institutions must submit applications between July 1 and August 29.

With regard to the prize, Piedade Lalanda praised the "generosity and the partnership spirit" of the entities that supported this initiative: Banco Espírito Santo dos Açores, Caixa Económica da Misericórdia de Angra do Heroísmo and Portugal Telecom Foundation.

In his speech delivered at the ceremony, the Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture defended that public schools should "receive all youngsters and provide a decisive contribution to their education."

"It turns out, however, that the youngsters who attend public schools represent our society; the good things of society and their problems as well," Luiz Fagundes Duarte stressed, defending the need to take joint action in other areas, as in the case of the children and youngsters covered this programme."

"It is necessary that these children be provided with the necessary conditions throughout their school path so that they can have access to same opportunities in their education and academic achievements," said the government official.

Luiz Fagundes Duarte also stated that the Regional Government "has done everything within its reach" so that "schools can be able to do their part" throughout the educational process of students.

The government official added that public schools "have played their role, which is to provide good conditions to the teaching and non-teaching staff as well as in terms of facilities, training programmes, including food and transport."

"Schools have played their role and, probably, they have done a lot more than it would be expected from them," said Luiz Fagundes Duarte.