Students in the municipality of Albufeira, from pre-school to secondary education, will have free transport between their places of residence and schools in the municipality.
This measure is intended for all students who attend schools in the municipality and live more than three kilometers from their schools.
This year, for the first time, the municipality will pay the full amount of the school pass also to secondary students who live and study in the municipality.
The support is extended to those who live in the municipality but attend an educational establishment in other locations “due to the inexistence of a course or area of study in their area of residence, as long as the situation is duly proven”.
«Students with mobility difficulties who benefit from measures under inclusive education are also covered, regardless of the distance from their residence to the school, whenever their condition so requires», according to the City Council of Albufeira.
José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, highlighted the fact that this is the first time that the municipality extends support to secondary education.
"Finally, this situation is contemplated in the Law, which allows the Municipality to put into practice an educational policy that guarantees the effective exercise of the right to education and equal opportunities in access to education, regardless of the socioeconomic conditions of families", considered the edil albufeirense.
Until now, “free of charge was limited until the end of basic education and to secondary students benefiting from step 1 of school social action, as well as students with special educational needs at both levels of education”.
For secondary school students, beneficiaries of step 2, the Municipality contributed 75% and 50% for the other students.
"The municipality has taken a step forward and goes beyond its legal obligations in terms of school transport", said José Carlos Rolo, explaining that it will guarantee the allocation of school transport not only in situations strictly provided for in the Law – students residing more than 3 kilometers from the respective educational establishments – but also in other situations, 'namely in cases of dangerous access to the school establishment, households without a support network or where the parent or guardian has a work schedule incompatible with the teaching hours ».
However, the School Transport Plan for the 2020/2021 school year has already been approved, with a total investment of 428.200 euros (117.400 euros in 2020 and 310.800 in 2021).
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