The Portimão City Council will reinforce the support provided to students and their families «in terms of school meals, activity books, school passes, study visits and all other support that has always had municipal participation, namely school milk, special circuits transport and school supplies", announced the municipality.
In addition to this support, there is investment in the requalification of buildings and outdoor spaces in several teaching and educational establishments in the municipality, «providing them with better learning, recreational-sports and play conditions», with emphasis on Basic Schools of Vendas and Montes de Alvor and the Fojo Kindergarten, where interventions totaling 1 million euros were carried out.
These works were visited by members of the municipal executive, at the start of another academic year.
In addition to this reinforcement, «special attention will be paid to the operational needs of educational establishments with regard to cleaning, hygiene and office supplies, wear and communications materials, transferring the corresponding funds to the School Groups, with the aim of, within the scope of their autonomy, better respond to the demands of the educational community».
In Portimão, in the 0/2023 school year, there will be 24 students in the municipality's public schools, distributed among 9501 children in Pre-School, 888 students in the 2525st Cycle, 1 students in the 1395nd Cycle, 2 students in the 2259rd Cycle and 3 students in the High school.
According to the Porto City Council, one of the main new features that were introduced this academic year are free meals for all students (subsidized and non-subsidized) from Pre-School to Secondary Education, similar to what has happened since the end of the 2nd period of the previous academic year.
«Only with regard to the 1st academic period, this measure corresponds to support of 273.275,50 euros. At the end of this period, the measure will be evaluated again in order to determine its continuity for the next academic period», stated the municipality.
Furthermore, «the activity books are free for all students in the 1st and 2nd Cycles (Portuguese, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, English, History and Natural Sciences), a measure that corresponds to support of 166.048,80 euros».
The amount allocated to carrying out study visits, within the scope of the autonomy of the School Groups, «will make it possible to carry out more activities beyond those made possible by the provision of the municipal bus fleet, at no cost to families, which will translate into support of 50.000 euros”.
Regarding free school passes, secondary school students are now on equal terms with primary school students, “as long as they meet the requirements set out in the law and in the School Transport Plan. Students who do not meet these requirements will be able to purchase the “4_18” school pass, the value of which is 14,50 euros for students in bracket B and not subsidized, and 7,70 euros for students in bracket A».
«In a “full-time school” context, Family Entertainment and Support Activities (AAAF) are developed in Pre-School through reception in the period before school activities, between 8:00 am and 9:00 am and after school activities , until 19pm. These activities also take place during school breaks during Christmas, Carnival, Easter and in the summer, and are completely free for children whose families can demonstrate this need,” the Portimão City Council also said.
In the 1st Cycle, Curricular Enrichment Activities (AEC) are developed after teaching activities and until 17:00 pm.
The Family Support Component (CAF) takes place in the period before the start of school activities, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am and after AEC (from 17:00 pm to 19:00 pm), for families who register for these activities.
The CAF also operates during school breaks during Christmas, Easter and summer. Attendance at CAF presupposes a family contribution and registrations are subject to existing vacancies.
To carry out these activities, protocols were signed between the Municipality of Portimão, the municipality's School Groups, parents' associations and partner entities.
With regard to the award of scholarships for students attending Higher Education, in the unit amount of 2.000 euros, the respective applications will be open between the 20th and 31st of October for students who meet the requirements set out in the regulations where they are established the provisions of this competition.
The submission of applications requires prior appointment, which must be made between the 13th and 19th of October, using an online form that will be available during that period. More information can be obtained here. https://www.cm-portimao.pt/menus/servicos/educacao/bolsas-de-estudo).
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