João Ferreira met with parents from Delfim Santos School in São Domingos de Benfica, Lisbon, who express concerns about their children’s safety due to inadequate conditions. The school has been prioritized for renovation for eight years without progress.
The CDU candidate emphasized the responsibility of Lisbon’s City Council to undertake significant renovations in designated schools while maintaining regular upgrades to prevent other schools from deteriorating like Delfim Santos.
João Ferreira recalled that Lisbon was the first municipality to accept the transfer of responsibilities for managing the school network. Despite two terms under PS and PSD majorities, eight years have passed without resolution due to a back-and-forth between the Government and the City Council.
“If the Council felt it lacked the necessary means to accept the responsibilities, it shouldn’t have done so. Meanwhile, the parents, students, and teachers have endured eight years of blame-shifting. The Government claims it’s the schools’ responsibility, the schools point to the Council, and the Council says, ‘Yes, it’s ours, but the Government didn’t provide funding,'” he stated.
The CDU councilor, in opposition, highlighted that the cost of renovation amounts to several million euros, which the Council should insist the Government provide. Given its assumed competencies, the Council must invest to prevent further degradation of schools.
The communist candidate advocates that the city has resources to advance these renovations and can significantly improve school conditions.
“We continually end up at the issue of the IRS refund—270 million euros—which the Council waived over four years. A small portion of that sum could initiate renovations in the most affected schools,” said the candidate, referring to the Council’s decision to refund 5% of IRS to Lisbon taxpayers, a move opposed by the CDU.
Other candidates for Lisbon’s municipal elections include current president Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega), Ossanda Líber (Nova Direita), José Almeida (Volt), Adelaide Ferreira (ADN), Tomaz Ponce Dentinho (PPM/PTP), and Luís Mendes (RIR).
