Albufeira strengthens school teams with 55 new operational assistants and 14 cooks
The municipality launches a tender for new hires and prepares a protocol with IEFP to enhance support in educational establishments.
By Rui Tavares Fonseca
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a Portuguese town hall facade with traditional azulejo tiles and stone elements, warm afternoon sunlight, blue sky.
The Municipality of Albufeira has begun reinforcing its school teams with the phased entry of 20 operational assistants, who join the existing staff, and has launched the procedure for hiring 35 more operational assistants and 14 cooks.
The new hires aim to strengthen the school kitchen and canteen teams, as well as increase the availability of operational assistants for student support and daily tasks in educational establishments. The Mayor of Albufeira, Rui Cristina, clarified that the onboarding of the 20 operational assistants began on October 20th and will continue until the end of the month, while the procedure for the 35 new assistants has already been initiated.
The Albufeira Municipal Council will also invest approximately 150 thousand euros in school entrance security. Additionally, a collaboration protocol is being prepared with the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), which could allow for the integration of up to 30 operational assistants, a further measure to be implemented at a later stage.
Rui Cristina highlighted that, although Albufeira already has a number of operational assistants exceeding the legally established ratios, there are specific needs in certain educational establishments. The Council is analyzing these situations to reinforce teams where the need is greatest, considering factors such as sick leave, functional limitations, and the unique characteristics of each school.
The Municipality of Albufeira invests approximately 20 million euros annually in education, receiving about 11 million euros from the State for the transfer of competencies. Recently, nine modular classrooms were installed, representing an investment of around 600 thousand euros, and the redevelopment and expansion of the Albufeira Secondary School is being prepared, with an estimated investment of about 9 million euros.
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"We want to provide clear information and not create false expectations. One thing is the 20 professionals who have already started joining. Another is the tender for 35 more, for which the procedure has already been launched. The collaboration with the IEFP will be an additional measure, to be implemented later and in phases."
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"We meet and even exceed the required ratios, but that does not mean there are no difficulties. There are situations of sick leave, workers with functional limitations, schools with different buildings and schedules, and students who need more support. We are analyzing these situations with the school groups to reinforce teams where there is greater need."
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"We know there are difficulties and we are responding. Not everything is resolved overnight, but the first operational assistants and cooks have already started joining the schools, and the procedure to hire 35 more is underway. It is with concrete measures that we will solve the problems."
