The beginning of the 2011/2012 school year in Portimão, next week, will be marked by the opening of the Pontal School Center, in an investment of 4,3 million euros, of which 1,2 million were financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the remainder by the Municipality of Portimão.
The new equipment is intended to match the increase in the school population in Portimão, with all the 1st Cycle of Basic Education classrooms now operating on a regular schedule, following a project that took advantage of part of the existing structure.
According to a press release from the Portimão Chamber, this intervention included “the construction of 22 classrooms for the 1st cycle and 8 classrooms for pre-school education, the creation of a cafeteria, library, gym, multipurpose room, teacher/educator rooms, spaces for support, playground and outdoor play areas”.
After this work, which involved the deactivation of the Quinta do Amparo Kindergarten, the Pontal School Center will be able to receive in this school year 572 students from the 1st cycle of Basic Education and 200 children from Pre-School Education.
Following the strong investment in the renovation of the Municipality's school park, at the beginning of last school year the Bemposta Basic and Secondary School was inaugurated, an innovative teaching establishment that offers an educational offer characterized by artistic education.
The EB 2+3 e Secundária da Bemposta is a unique school in the Algarve, being the first in Portugal to be built from scratch with this objective. In the first year, that educational establishment was attended by 350 young people. However, it currently serves the needs of 566 students and represents an investment of 6,2 million euros, of which 4 million were funded by the Ministry of Education.
The Curriculum Enrichment Activities Program returns to full operation at the beginning of the school year and in all schools of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education in the public network of the municipality of Portimão, serving to train students and respond to the needs of families to occupy their children in an extended schedule compatible with their professional life.
Within the scope of music education, over the course of the school year, workshops on wind initiation (1st period), strings (2nd period) and percussion (3rd period) will take place. Although the frequency of Curriculum Enrichment Activities is optional, they are available to the 2299 students of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education in the public network of Portimão, with the municipality assuming a financial commitment in the order of 514 thousand euros with the five School Groups, for the implementation of these activities.
In addition to this program, according to the Portimão City Council, "School Groups ensure 90 minutes per week of Study Support, a mandatory activity aimed at carrying out work and consolidating learning, ensuring the functioning of a full-time school".
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