The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture reiterated at the Legislative Assembly in Horta that the "success" of students the main goal of the regional education system.
 
Speaking during a debate on a draft amendment to the Basic and Secondary School Statute, Avelino Meneses stated that non-progression, according to various experts, "is not exactly a method of solving failure."
 
Nevertheless, the Secretary for Education considered that "one thing is certain, we cannot tackle non-progression with aggressive measures."
 
According to Avelino Meneses, the measure under discussion, which provides support for students with negative marks during school breaks, involves major changes in the entire education system," Avelino Meneses said, adding that, regarding this matter, we will do "whichever is more appropriate" in the context of a new Plan and Budget.
 
"In the assessment to be carried out, we can never forget that school breaks are crucial for the recovery of learning, bearing in mind that teachers and students are quite tired in these periods, especially the latter who take multiple tests," stated Avelino Meneses.
 
For the Regional Secretary, the assessment should also consider that the recovery of learning is mainly achieved with classes, activities and projects promoted for "this precise purpose."
 
Avelino Meneses also mentioned that the "success" of ProSucesso - Azores for Education, a programme designed to promote school success, also depends on "proper" learning and never on "administrative or statistical-based approaches."