The ceremony, held this Friday, October 30th, was attended by the President of the Republic, António José Seguro, and the mayor of Leiria, Gonçalo Lopes.
At ESALV, an investment of 5.5 million euros, funded by the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan), has improved safety, comfort, and accessibility conditions. The intervention, carried out in phases, was a challenge for the educational community, which demonstrated significant adaptability.
Gonçalo Lopes highlighted the importance of the work in correcting a historical inequality, recalling ESALV's nearly 44 years of merit despite its facility limitations. The school, with over a thousand students from 28 nationalities, stands out for its cultural diversity and specialized educational responses, such as the Support Unit for High Performance in School and articulated dance education.
At EPL, two new Specialized Technology Centers (Industrial and IT) were presented, representing an investment of 2.7 million euros. These centers enhance technical and professional training, aligning student education with labor market demands in areas like automation and digital transformation. EPL also received over 500 thousand euros to repair damage from Storm Kristin.
Gonçalo Lopes emphasized the strategic role of vocational education for youth qualification and business competitiveness in an industrialized region like Leiria.
António José Seguro valued the school as a space for inclusion and equal opportunities, praising the integration of students from diverse nationalities and tailored educational responses. He stressed that vocational education is essential, not a lesser option, and crucial for training qualified technicians.
The recovery from the damage caused by Storm Kristin was also discussed. The Municipality of Leiria has already carried out works in 110 schools and will continue investing in the resilience of public facilities. António José Seguro assured ongoing monitoring and the preparation of a report to assess progress and identify persistent issues.
The completion of these interventions strengthens the municipality's educational network, providing better conditions for students and professionals and promoting diversified training pathways, thereby fostering equal opportunities.
