This Friday, within the scope of the Education Forum "Sente Espanto", a cooperation protocol was signed between the Viana do Castelo Municipal Council, the Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo, and António Manuel Seixas Sampaio da Nóvoa, aiming to create and establish the "Futuros da Educação - António Sampaio da Nóvoa" Center in Viana do Castelo. The protocol was signed at the Sá de Miranda Municipal Theatre.
The document stems from the Municipality's desire to "consolidate Viana do Castelo as an Educating Municipality", ensuring universal access to education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities. The Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo aims to promote research policies and strengthen international partnerships. António Manuel Seixas Sampaio da Nóvoa, a native of the Viana do Castelo district, will contribute to the development of his home region, the Alto Minho, by donating his personal library and collection.
The Mayor, Luís Nobre, highlighted Education as "one of the pillars of the Municipality's development", referring to the "educational ecosystem and promoter of equal opportunities" in Viana do Castelo. He emphasized the importance of partnerships for the strength of a territory.
Viana do Castelo currently has 25 kindergartens, 34 primary cycle establishments, 9 middle and high school cycle establishments, and 6 secondary schools, in addition to 3 establishments with Vocational Secondary Education, totaling approximately 10,700 students. Family Animation and Support Activities cover around 800 children, complemented by curricular enrichment activities and projects in theater, music, inclusion, and hippotherapy.
The promotion of healthy lifestyle habits and environmental awareness are also educational focuses, with projects on healthy eating, sports, and nautical activities involving thousands of young people. There are 515 children in skating, 1,085 in athletics, 1,770 in swimming, and over 2,100 in nautical activities. Environmental education initiatives are developed by the CMIA, Urban Ecological Park, and Viana do Castelo Litoral Geopark.
Education in Viana do Castelo intersects with science, culture, and heritage, through projects in museums, libraries, arts, cinema, and heritage education, which bring students closer to the territory's identity and knowledge.
The "Sente Espanto" Education Forum brought together specialists, teachers, students, and local associative agents to discuss current challenges in the educational community, with contributions from figures such as António Sampaio da Nóvoa and Sofia Marques da Silva.
