The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Ponta Delgada that, as regards to the revision of the regulation of the teaching application, the Government "went as far as it could go."

 Avelino Meneses spoke Monday at the end of the second and last meeting with the representatives of teachers' unions in the Azores. The government official said the Government was guided during the negotiation process "by a single limit": "the fulfilment of teachers' claims should never collide with the interests of students."

 In this regard, the Regional Secretary stressed the understanding reached on the "implementation of the annual frequency of applications and the exemption from the requirement to teach at the same school for a period three years."

"Both commitments were taken by the Government and correspond to the expectations of teachers," said the government official.

 Avelino Meneses also stressed that during this negotiation process, which may include another meeting at the request of unions, we have reached a consensus for teachers attached to the regional teaching staff regarding the possibility of exchange for one year and mobility due to illness.

 As for hired teachers, it was agreed that the length of service will have effect from September 1 provided that they fill in a vacancy at the beginning of the school year.
 
Furthermore, it was decided that hired teachers are no longer required to report for work at the beginning of the year, without prejudice to the termination of the contract, if prevented to do so on compelling grounds, duly proven, added the government official.

Nevertheless, the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture assured that the Government will open a vacancy in the teaching staff whenever there is a permanent need in the regional education system.

 Avelino Meneses recalled that the Government has promoted three special teaching applications over the last three years that resulted in the opening of 300 vacancies. With regard to this matter, the government official stated that we must "be careful," taking into consideration its consequences in the short and medium-term.

 The solution for a possible wider access of hired teachers to the regional teaching staff would "necessarily" entail an amendment to the national legislation.