New year, new challenges, new learning
Following a long-standing tradition, the São Brás de Alportel City Council, in partnership with the José Belchior Viegas School Group, held a reception session for teachers and professionals from São Brás de Alportel schools, marking the start of the 2025/2026 school year.
In her speech, the Director of the Group, Sónia Figueiredo, thanked the commitment of all teaching and non-teaching professionals who will ensure the new school year and, together with the municipal executive, paid tribute to all those who retired after a career fully dedicated to this greater cause that is education.
To those present, the Mayor, Vítor Guerreiro, emphasized the central role of schools in shaping values and preparing children and young people for the professions of the future. He emphasized that the school group continues to grow, now enrolling over 1,600 students, and emphasized the commitment to continuing cultural projects, such as "A Banda Vai à Escola," which the municipality is committed to supporting.
Marlene Guerreiro, Vice President of the City Council for Education, discussed the ongoing work and projects in preparation for the start of the new school year, including investments in new Specialized Technical Centers, IT, and catering. She also highlighted the ongoing maintenance work at schools, asking for everyone's understanding regarding some constraints in the early days. An example of this is the work on the first phase of the School Climate Control Plan, which will begin next week in rural schools.
He also noted the municipality's demographic growth, which is above the national trend, highlighting new needs in terms of school infrastructure. In this regard, he mentioned the applications submitted to the PRR for the expansion of EB 2,3, to the PO Algarve 2030 for the expansion of the "Joaninhas" Kindergarten, as well as the request to the Ministry of Education for the construction of a new primary school.
In terms of student and family support, the highlights included psychological counseling, speech therapy, scholarships for young people in higher education, and artistic solidarity scholarships, among others. Also highlighted was the three-year Local Social Development Contract signed in partnership with Santa Casa da Misericórdia, focusing on children and youth.
"The educational community has the mission of creating positive impressions on students, for life," said Vitor Guerreiro, who concluded his speech with a message of recognition and encouragement addressed to all professionals in the educational community, reinforcing the essential role they play in the academic success and development of the municipality's children and young people.
