Between the dream and the sad reality, the central school of Nossa Senhora do Monte cries out for help

The Nossa Senhora do Monte School, a building of inestimable value to the local history and community, is slowly and painfully succumbing to the weight of abandonment and neglect. The dream of a recovery project, which promised modern times and a dignified future for the educational institution, has become nothing more than words and drawings on paper, leaving the school in a state of disrepair that threatens its very existence.

For years, the community had been dreaming of rehabilitating the Nossa Senhora do Monte School. A bold project, in line with the latest pedagogical and structural requirements, was presented. This visionary plan foresaw the modernization of the classrooms, the creation of new leisure spaces and the structural security of the building, transforming it into a true hub of educational excellence. However, this promise of renovation quickly faded.

The project, which should have been the driving force behind the revitalization, was inexplicably shelved. The necessary funds, the administrative green light, or political interest-whatever the reason-the result is the same: total paralysis.

While bureaucracy and inaction hung over the future of the school, the physical reality of the building continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate. What was once a solid and welcoming structure now presents a bleak picture of decay.

The Nossa Senhora do Monte School, which continues to receive pupils, has been transformed into a risky and unhealthy environment. The walls, once white, are now stained by damp and mold. The ceiling, in several places, is falling to pieces, forcing temporary and dangerous solutions that look more like last-minute patches than planned maintenance.

The damp problem is chronic, seeping into structures, corroding materials and creating an environment conducive to respiratory diseases. The electrical installations are precarious, the floors are damaged and the outdoor spaces, which should be for recreation and socializing, are abandoned.

"It breaks my heart to see my children's school falling down like this," says Maria, the mother of a pupil, who prefers not to reveal her name for fear of reprisals. "We know there's a project, that everything is planned, but nobody does anything. It's a shame for our community. The children don't deserve to study in a place like this."

The teachers and staff themselves, faced with this scenario on a daily basis, strive to maintain normality and the quality of teaching, but the struggle is unequal. The risk to the safety of students and teaching staff is a constant concern, with reports of parts of the structure giving way on days of heavy rain.

The community has made its voice heard through petitions, meetings and public appeals, but the echo of its concerns seems to be lost in the corridors of power. The indifference of the responsible bodies, whether local or central, is seen as a symptom of a bigger problem: the devaluation of heritage and education.

Time is running out. If nothing is done immediately, the cost of rehabilitation will increase, and it may even be necessary to demolish parts of the structure if the damage becomes irreversible.

The School of Nossa Senhora do Monte is more than a collection of stones and mortar; it is a symbol of identity and a pillar of education on the island. Its ruin is the ruin of a part of the community's history. The project of modern times may have remained on paper, but the reality of degradation is clearly visible to all, crying out for urgent intervention to rescue the school from the abyss and honor the right of hundreds of children to a dignified and secure future.

Who will finally heed the cry for help from the Escola de Nossa Senhora do Monte before it's too late?