The Municipal Strategic Education Plan 2026–2029, unanimously approved at the Municipal Education Council meeting on October 29th, outlines measures to address challenges such as declining school population, demographic aging, and geographical dispersion. The local authority aims to promote school success, inclusion, and equal opportunities through four intervention axes: School Open to the Community, Quality School and Educational Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, and Local Heritage, Environment, and Sustainability.
The Mayor of Baião Municipality, Ana Raquel Azevedo, emphasized the importance of equal opportunities, stating: “We do not want a child from Baião to have fewer opportunities than a child growing up in a large urban center. Geography cannot determine the size of anyone's dreams, and it is our responsibility to work towards making this equality of opportunity an ever-increasing reality”.
In the realm of educational innovation, the plan includes projects in robotics, financial literacy, and artificial intelligence, alongside the upgrade of school computer equipment and the use of platforms to support math and reading learning. Improving energy efficiency and thermal comfort in educational establishments are also priorities.
Inclusion is another key area, with measures such as reorganizing school transport, supporting students attending the Baião Conservatory of Music, strengthening therapeutic responses (hippotherapy, hydrotherapy, music therapy, dog-assisted therapy), and enhancing school playgrounds with sensory solutions adapted for children with special educational needs.
The plan also extends to families and the community, by broadening educational activities to children from private social solidarity institutions, reinforcing support during school breaks, and initiatives related to food education, culture, and sports. Support for parent associations and intergenerational projects aim to foster closer family involvement in school life.
The link between education and local development is strengthened by fostering connections between school groups, higher education, and the business sector, focusing on vocational guidance, exposure to different professions, and promoting entrepreneurship. Environmental education and the valorization of Baião's natural and cultural heritage are also integral to this strategy.
The Municipal Education Council, comprising representatives from various sectors of the educational community, will oversee the definition and development of these policies. The plan's execution will be monitored annually, with mid-term evaluations in 2027/2028 and a final evaluation in 2029.
