The Ayres de Moura Integral Education School in the western zone of São Paulo resumed classes for students in grades 6 to 9 but found itself without electricity since December 21, due to the theft of electrical cables. Parents were informed about this incident last week, highlighting the significant financial loss of R$ 200,000 caused by the theft, which involved the complete removal of the wiring infrastructure. The management under Tarcísio de Freitas noted that the electrical transformer as well as parts of the school’s infrastructure were also damaged during the theft.

In response to the lack of electricity, the State Department of Education has arranged for the school to operate using a rented generator that is monitored for safety. They estimate that repairs may take up to 60 days to complete, emphasizing the urgency of restoring proper electricity supply to ensure a conducive learning environment for the students. The situation underscores existing issues regarding school security and theft that negatively impact educational institutions in urban areas.

The electricity company, Enel, has stated that it is awaiting the repairs to happen before a proper restoration can take place. This incident highlights broader systemic issues within infrastructure maintenance and school safety, influencing discussions on how to improve conditions in public schools and prevent future occurrences of such thefts that disrupt educational activities.