Esposende approves project for the 2nd phase of the requalification of the Secondary School

The Municipality of Esposende approved the project to carry out the 2nd phase of the reconstruction and expansion works at Escola Secundária Henrique Medina, whose estimated value is approximately 22 million euros.

This intervention aims to complement the 1st phase of the project, which included the requalification of the administrative area, stationery and library, the construction of a new auditorium and the expansion of the school canteen, which exceeded 2.6 million euros.

In this 2nd phase of intervention, the requalification of existing classroom spaces, the expansion of classrooms and the expansion and requalification of the kitchen area, bar and employee support spaces are planned, as well as the requalification of the pavilion sports gym. The intervention also includes the construction of a new building and the requalification of all outdoor spaces and all external infrastructures. Also according to the project, interior connections will be created between the various buildings, allowing circulation to always take place inside.

As part of this intervention, the Henrique Medina Secondary School will also be equipped with a Technological Center Specialized in IT, under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). With an approved budget of 1,054,414.60 euros, the investment involves the modernization and rehabilitation of existing facilities and infrastructure and the acquisition of technological educational resources (equipment), thus increasing the responsiveness of the educational and training system in the municipal territory . All in all, the overall investment exceeds 23 million euros, representing the largest investment ever made in the municipality.

“With a school population of 1,070 students, 120 teachers and 44 employees (technical assistants and operational assistants), the Esposende Secondary School currently presents a high level of degradation, whether in structural elements and equipment, such as coverings, the low thermohygrothermal, acoustic comfort and low energy efficiency. It was, in fact, flagged as one of the “very urgent” schools within the scope of the intervention plan defined by the Ministry of Education, at the time of the agreement to transfer powers to the Municipality”, explains the Municipality.

The 1st phase of the intervention, with a planned budget of 2,217,152.00 euros, was carried out within the scope of an agreement between the Municipality of Esposende and the Ministry of Education and Science; was financed by community funds in the amount of 1,884,579 euros, through the Pact for Development and Territorial Cohesion of the Intermunicipal Community of Cávado (CIM Cávado), with the national public counterpart, in the amount of 332,573 euros, corresponding to 15% of the value of the work, supported, in equal parts, by the Municipality of Esposende and the Ministry of Education and Science. “However, the City Council’s investment ended up quadrupling, as it bore the costs of additional work and the preparation of the project, exceeding 2.6 million euros”, maintains the Municipality.

The President of the Municipal Council of Esposende, Benjamim Pereira, expresses his “satisfaction with the progress in the process for the complete requalification of the only secondary school in the municipality due to the commitment and determination of the Municipality, even though these matters are not within its competence and responsibility ”. He emphasizes, however, that “the important thing is to achieve the long-awaited and extremely necessary requalification and expansion”. Therefore, he is “hopeful that the works can begin as soon as possible, after the legal formalities have been completed, that is, after the necessary financing has been guaranteed and the subsequent public tender for the project has been launched. Benjamim Pereira adds that the Municipality submitted the project to apply for community funds, with the expectation of obtaining financing”.