Education on Príncipe Island has been given a new impetus with the arrival of innovative methodologies and more dynamic teaching practices. The Education Department of the Municipality of Oeiras organised an educational mission to the island, resulting in face-to-face training involving 40 local teachers. This initiative saw the participation of Maria João Verdasca, manager of the ‘Engineering for All’ project, developed by Instituto Superior Técnico and INESC-ID, with the support of the Municipality of Oeiras, as a trainer in the area of experimental sciences.

The training involved five specialist teachers in the areas of Portuguese, Maths, Science, Expressions and Project Work, with the aim of promoting innovative teaching strategies that can enrich the quality of teaching in the region.

For a fortnight, the trainers were in the classroom every day with two classes in the morning, impacting more than 2,500 children. The afternoons were dedicated to training sessions for teachers, creating a space for sharing new pedagogical strategies and good educational practices.

The ‘Lab in a Box’ project, with its kit of teaching materials, enabled science lessons to become more practical and experimental. This resource has aroused students’ scientific curiosity, encouraging learning through exploration and experimentation.

In addition to classroom activities, the team met with local leaders to reinforce their commitment to education on the island. They were received by the President of the Regional Government of Príncipe, Filipe Nascimento, and met with the Regional Secretary for Education, Fátima Cassandra, to discuss the island’s educational needs and plan future collaborations. The teachers were invited to attend a lecture entitled ‘The Transformative Power of Education’, given by Pedro Patacho, Education Councillor for the Municipality of Oeiras.

The mission also made it possible to strengthen relations with the Príncipe Foundation, bringing the school community closer to local institutions. In addition, the team of trainers took part in a rubbish collection campaign, promoting environmental awareness among the students and teachers.
The end of the training was marked by a certificate ceremony, where the teachers received their diplomas from the President of the Regional Government. According to Maria João Verdasca, ‘the transformative power of education was evident in every child’s smile and in the teachers’ dedication to embracing new ways of teaching’.
This initiative reinforces the commitment of the Municipality of Oeiras and the partnership with Instituto Superior Técnico and INESC-ID to take education further, promoting inclusion and sustainable development through knowledge.