Minister asks municipal councils to assume responsibility for implementing the PCFR (Program for the Career, Training and Rehabilitation of Early Childhood Educators) for early childhood educators.

According to the official, it is the responsibility of local authorities to comply with the law and ensure the application of the PCFR (Program for the Career and Remuneration of Early Childhood Educators) to early childhood educators throughout the country, emphasizing that the Government has supported municipalities by strengthening the Municipal Financing Fund.

“It is up to the municipal councils to create the conditions for the implementation of the PCFR applicable to early childhood educators. The Government has already collaborated in this regard, by increasing the Municipal Funding Fund by more than 600 million escudos for the majority of municipal councils,” he stated.

Amadeu Cruz further explained that the Ministry of Education cannot assume responsibility for preschool education, as this is included in the Municipal Statutes of 1994, considering that such assumption would be unconstitutional.

"It is necessary for the municipal councils to assume their responsibilities and powers. If there are difficulties or budgetary imbalances, the way forward is dialogue with the Government to restore those balances," he added.

For his part, the president of the Maio Municipal Council, Rely Brito, stated that the municipality is working to implement the PCFR (Program for the Career and Training of Early Childhood Educators) for the 14 early childhood educators currently working on the island, while acknowledging current budgetary limitations.

“To undertake the implementation of the PCFR would require a budgetary effort of around three thousand contos, and at this moment, the municipality does not have these resources. We need to work on the proposal and engage in dialogue with the Government to find possible solutions,” he explained.

Rely Brito assured, however, that the local authority will assume this responsibility during the current term, emphasizing that, despite the limitations, the early childhood educators are not in a precarious employment situation.

The mayor also highlighted the investments made in the rehabilitation of the island's kindergartens and in improving the pedagogical and didactic conditions of pre-school education.

Inforpress