The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture defended today the need to "strengthen a school consortium" of teachers and students in order to "meet the qualification needs" of the Azorean society.

Avelino Meneses spoke at the awarding of merit prizes and diplomas to the students of Velas Basic Education and Secondary School, an initiative held under the day of ProSucesso. The Regional Secretary stressed that this ceremony is a demonstration of a full academic commitment, given that “the distinction of students has a direct correspondence to the commitment of teachers."

"Of teachers, we always we look forward for more efficient educational solutions that will be conducive to increased interactivity inside and outside the classroom. Of students, we always look forward for more proactive attitudes that go beyond the attendance and regular participation in class and be embodied in the construction of individual training projects," said the government official.

For the Regional Secretary, the result of "all this work" lies "in the reduction of school failure and truancy, which is our primary goal." Therefore, "we have prepared ProSucesso and will implement this programme; it will fulfil its mission when Azorean families regard education as a top priority."

According to Avelino Meneses, education, in addition to "leveraging the economy," is also "the melting pot of citizenship." In this context, the government official noted that "the mission of schools is to train professionals, who might become scientists, but also citizens," so that "democracy does not become a series of rules that motivate the lack of interest of the people."

In the face of school failure there is no place for resignation," the Regional Secretary for Education said, defending that all students should achieve academic success "so that they become competent citizens in a happy region."

The Day of ProSucesso was marked today at all school establishments of the Regional Education System, with the exception of Terceira Island where the Government had granted a day off work. It was intended to disseminate the Integrated Plan for the Promotion of Educational Success "ProSucesso - Azores for Education," whose implementation starts in the school year that took off today in the archipelago.