Brava: EMAEI Monitors 38 Children Identified as Needing Special Attention and Advocates for Enhanced Teacher Training

In an interview with Inforpress, psychologist and EMAEI coordinator in Brava, Mariazinha Louro, explained that the recently formed team is visiting schools on the island to learn about the reality of each educational institution and build closer relationships with teachers.

“The goal is to get to know the children, understand the reality of each school, and build closer relationships with the teachers,” she emphasized.

According to the official, some children had already been flagged previously, but with the start of the new school year, new cases have emerged that are being identified and monitored by the team.

“We are coordinating efforts, in partnership with the teachers, to see how we can work together,” she noted, adding that the goal is to promote the children’s fullest possible development and ensure their academic success.

Mariazinha Louro acknowledged, however, that one of the main challenges encountered on the ground is related to the lack of ongoing training for teachers to work with children who require differentiated educational support.

According to the coordinator, the island of Brava currently lacks specific continuing education programs to prepare teachers to meet the needs of these students—a situation that, in her view, requires greater attention from the Ministry of Education.

Despite this limitation, she explained that EMAEI seeks to guide teachers by providing them with guidance on the best strategies for working with students who require specialized support.

“Sometimes, many teachers aren’t quite sure how to work with these children, and this is one of the biggest challenges our team has encountered in the field,” he said.

In this regard, she argued that the Ministry of Education should invest more in teacher training, equipping them with tools that allow them to adequately respond to each child’s needs and promote a more inclusive education.

She noted that, in the previous school year, not all children identified as needing support were able to achieve good academic performance; therefore, the team intends to strengthen its monitoring efforts and help improve student performance.

EMAEI’s strategy also involves strengthening ties with children and teachers through coordinated efforts with parents and guardians.

In this context, Mariazinha Louro urged families to regularly monitor their children’s academic progress and collaborate with teachers and the multidisciplinary team, noting that the involvement of guardians is essential for children’s development and for improving academic results.

Inforpress/End