The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture defended in Horta that the Regional Government values the autonomy of "contents and results," contrary to the opposition that seems to value the autonomy of "form."
 
Avelino Meneses spoke at the Legislative Assembly during the debate on education and the claims of Azorean teachers. According to him, this "autonomy of results" in the case of teachers "guarantees that the Azores will continue to have the best teaching career in the country."
 
This is the autonomy that "contributes to improving the lives of peoples in each day and in every case," stressed the government official.
 
"After all, this is an autonomy that knows no enemies, be they political or professional, as it unites everyone in the common struggle for the constant improvement of human existence," added Avelino Meneses.
 
With regard to the recognition of teachers' length of service, the Regional Secretary reiterated that the Regional Government's position was "timely" announced and "reassures the defence of a more advantageous career over the practices implemented in the remaining national territory."
 
Avelino Meneses assured that the Regional Government remains "faithful" to the commitment made in November towards the implementation of the solution to be decided at national level, following negotiations not yet concluded between the National Government and teachers' unions.
 
"This means that we will keep the promise regardless the financial impact, no matter what it costs," said the government official.
 
Moreover, the Secretary for Education emphasised that "teachers are the best partners" of the Government in the "fight against" school dropout and failure, which has already "yielded relatively positive results."
 
Avelino Meneses added that the integrated plan for the promotion of school success, ProSucesso - Azores for Education, designed for a decade, already registers "positive indicators." Hence, it will be reinforced in the school year 2018/2019 with the extension of the "Math step by step" project to all elementary and middle schools and the "Reading +" project to all elementary schools.
 
Likewise, there are also plans to extend the Community intervention project, designated as "Education, Family, Community," to four municipalities of São Miguel Island in a partnership between education, social solidarity and local institutions, namely municipal, and the Regional Network of School Libraries.
 
Avelino Meneses also announced that 13 certified accountants will be hired to support the management of school establishments within the regional education system.