Agreements have been established stemming from a measure approved earlier this month by the Council of Ministers, which allocated approximately 42.5 million euros to expand, in collaboration with local authorities, pre-school slots across 30 municipalities.
On September 12, the MECI signed initial agreements with six municipalities in the Algarve (Albufeira, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão, and Tavira) to create 17 new classrooms, accommodating up to 425 children. Subsequently, an agreement was reached with Santarém for two new classrooms, each providing 25 slots.
Today, agreements were signed with the municipalities of Lisbon, Cascais, Loures, Amadora, Oeiras, Montijo, Moita, and Seixal, facilitating the opening of 39 classrooms with a total capacity of 975 slots.
“The steps taken today are very encouraging and should leave us all very satisfied as they demonstrate this commitment,” highlighted the minister, Fernando Alexandre, emphasizing that “in education, the collaboration between local authorities and the Government will be increasingly important.”
“The Government is responsible for ensuring equal opportunities nationwide and providing resources, but it is the local authorities that make things happen,” he explained.
During the session held at the MECI facilities in Lisbon, a collaboration agreement was also signed with Castro Marim, which, according to the authorities, was not considered among the most underprivileged yet chose to participate in the protocol to open a classroom offering up to 25 slots.
In total, through the 16 agreements already signed, 1,475 slots will be created across 59 classrooms with an investment of 2.5 million euros. Additionally, protocols for two more classrooms in Loulé and Silves are forthcoming.
Currently, 13 out of the 30 initially identified municipalities remain outside the agreements, including Sintra, the most in need, requiring 67 classrooms, Odivelas which requires 20 classrooms, and Setúbal where the Enrollment Portal identified the need for 19 classrooms.
“I believe it is in the local authorities’ interest to address the population’s needs, and the Government stands as a partner ready to help solve the problem, so we will wait,” added Fernando Alexandre.
When questioned if the municipalities in question justified their decision, the minister mentioned only Sintra, stating it had requested “a more structural solution.”
“Obviously, the Government intends that as well, but we are endeavouring to provide an immediate response to the problem,” said the Government official.
In addition to the slots created through collaboration agreements with municipalities, the government will fund 1,313 new slots in private and cooperative educational institutions in 17 councils, mainly in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, following a tender for 12,475 slots across 65 councils.
Meanwhile, a tender is ongoing to open up to five thousand slots in social solidarity institutions.
