The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stressed today in Horta that the planned investment for 2020 in education, culture and sport is "quite" similar to that of the previous year.
 
Avelino Meneses spoke to journalists at the end of a hearing at the Committee on Social Affairs of the Legislative Assembly. On the occasion, he stated that the education sector, through school buildings, will be reinforced in the overall investment of 65 million Euros planned for next year.
 
In this sector, the Government will invest 41.5 million Euros, which, among other projects, will improve school buildings, namely the upgrading of Capelas Basic Education School and the construction of two new schools in Rabo de Peixe and Arrifes.
 
The government official also mentioned the commitment for next year to remove the asbestos roof of Lagoa Basic Education School and the allocation of 3.5 million Euros for the improvement and conservation of school facilities.
 
Avelino Meneses also pointed out that the amount granted to the programme for the promotion of school success, ProSucesso - Azores for Education, is similar to that in previous years.
 
In the area of culture, the government official acknowledged a decrease in the investment budget. It will reach 3.5 million Euros next year as there are works "involving large investment that will be completed," namely the Francisco de Lacerda Museum on S. Jorge Island and the Airport Cinema on Santa Maria Island.
 
Next year, the Regional Government meets "a fundamental goal, which is to provide each of the islands with a museum unit of reference," noted the government official.
 
This goal will be achieved with the completion of Francisco de Lacerda Museum in S. Jorge and also with the planned opening of the first building of Corvo Ecomuseum, the so-called House of Time, stated the Regional Secretary.
 
"With the completion of what is actually planned, the regional school network will be practically completed in 2020 and, in the cultural sector, all islands will be provided with a museum of reference," said Avelino Meneses.
 
As for sport, the Regional Secretary emphasised that the investment of 10.3 million Euros is “sufficient” to promote sports activities and the practice of sports at competition level as well as to address the needs of equipment acquisition and the conservation of sports spaces.