The President of the Government announced an investment of about 17 million Euros in the construction of the new facilities for Canto da Maia School in Ponta Delgada. The launch of the public tender for this contract work, with a completion period of 24 months, will be approved in the meeting to be held by the Council of the Government next week.

"However, works in school infrastructures are not enough to build the necessary conditions for our education system to fulfil its mission," Vasco Cordeiro said, stressing the tranquillity we wish to provide during this whole process. We have already set the date for the beginning of the school year in our Region: September 14."

The President of the Government spoke at the ceremony to lay the first stone of the new Ribeira Grande Basic Education School - Gaspar Frutuoso Kindergarten and Basic Education School with capacity for 1,100 students, distributed across preschool, elementary school and middle school levels. The works represent an investment of about 16 million Euros and have a completion period of 17 months.

Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the new school to be built in Ribeira Grande, which is the fulfilment of a commitment, is part of a series of interventions intended to improve school infrastructures throughout the Region: the ongoing construction of Lajes do Pico School, the conclusion of Velas School, the launch of the public tender for the construction of Calheta School, the second phase project for the renewal of Horta Basic Education School, the renewal of Rabo de Peixe and Antero de Quental Schools, the new facilities of Arrifes School and the interventions to be carried out in the school of Corvo Island.

"This gives quite an idea of the dimension of the interventions that are being carried out in the redevelopment of the regional school network," the President of the Government stressed, highlighting the importance of other measures aimed at the educational success of Azorean children and youth.

In this context, Vasco Cordeiro pointed out the case of ProSucesso Programme, "a key tool in creating the conditions to ensure the conditions for school success" in the regional education system. After being presented in April and put under public discussion in June, the programme is ready to be implemented in the next school year.

In his speech, the President of the Government stressed that "none of the actors in this process can make the mistake of thinking that the issue of educational success will be solved with the implementation of ProSucesso Programme."

"This step will not yield instant or magic results. Nevertheless, it demonstrates our willingness and determination to take up the challenge we face," assured Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government pointed out that this process must "rely on the contribution of all parties involved, starting by Azorean families, where the issue of educational success should be regarded as a top priority."

 However, the President of the Government added that the beginning of the works of the new Ribeira Grande School evidences the attention paid by the Regional Government to the municipality of Ribeira Grande.

"This is not the only public investment in this municipality. During the current legislative, several invests promoted or supported by the Regional Government have already been implemented in this municipality. They represent a total investment of about 60 million Euros, including the new school," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.

In this context, the President of the Government pointed out the examples of the new Fishing Port in Rabo de Peixe, the São Miguel Exhibition Hall and Arquipélago - Contemporary Arts Centre as well as several private investments that were supported by the Regional Government.