Teachers' union warns of staffing shortages in schools

Monday, 17 August 2026AI summary
Teachers' union warns of staffing shortages in schools
Photo: LUÍS FORRA/LUSA

The National Federation of Teachers (Federação Nacional dos Professores or Fenprof) stated that the 20,404 teachers recently placed for the upcoming school year do not meet the permanent needs of schools. The union noted that only 1,252 of these placements involve new contracts, with the remainder consisting of internal transfers, and warned that hundreds of teachers are expected to retire by September.

Context & Explainers

Fenprof is the National Federation of Teachers (Federação Nacional dos Professores), the main public‑school teachers' union in Portugal that represents teachers in pay, working conditions and education reforms. Its criticism matters because Fenprof can organize strikes and mobilise teachers, which directly affects school operations and the implementation of government changes — something families and expat educators should monitor.