Várzea Grande prepares for July school reopening despite fire damage

The Municipal Department of Education, Culture, Sports and Leisure (SMECEL) in Várzea Grande announced that the municipal school year will resume on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 as scheduled, even though a fire in June destroyed part of the printed teaching material. The Department said the loss will be offset by using other resources such as books from the National Textbook Program (PNLD), materials from the Alfabetiza MT and Mais Infância programmes, digital platforms and supplementary activities.

SMECEL reorganised school‑by‑school planning, reinforced continuous training for teachers and coordinators, and encouraged the use of the Maxi digital system. During the two‑week school recess, maintenance crews carried out painting, electrical, hydraulic and cleaning work in all municipal schools, while the municipal mobility agency issued traffic‑safety guidelines for the more than 60 000 students expected to return, urging drivers to respect signs and use designated drop‑off zones.

The coordinated effort aims to ensure a safe and uninterrupted start to the second semester, with no loss of curriculum content despite the material loss caused by the fire.