The Mayor of the Municipality of São Roque do Pico and the Deputy Mayor attended the celebrations marking the 48th anniversary of the Escola Básica e Secundária de São Roque do Pico on Tuesday, joining what was described as a symbolic and meaningful moment for the entire educational community.

In his remarks, the Mayor highlighted the significant improvement in the school’s conditions over the years, noting that while facilities were once precarious, today’s reality represents substantial progress. He emphasized, however, that the central challenge now is to preserve these gains and continue improving the existing conditions.

The Mayor reaffirmed that the Câmara Municipal de São Roque do Pico will continue to stand alongside the school, while acknowledging the municipality’s budgetary constraints. Still, he offered encouraging news, announcing that this year’s municipal budget will include funding to initiate the expansion of the preschool and first-cycle facilities, addressing the need for additional classrooms.

Attention was also drawn to the school’s growing focus on special education—an area requiring increased support and resources. The Mayor stated that the municipality will seek to make an additional effort to strengthen this educational response.

“These are small challenges and small steps, but I don’t see this as a cost. It’s an investment—an investment in people’s education,” he said.

Addressing students directly, the Mayor offered words of encouragement, urging them to value the school as a space for both personal and academic growth.

The Municipality of São Roque do Pico congratulated the São Roque do Pico Basic and Secondary School on its 48 years of service, praising the work of the entire educational community over the decades and reaffirming its commitment to education and to the future of the municipality’s children and young people.

Press Release

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.