The National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof) and the National Federation of Education (FNE) have rejected Education Minister Fernando Alexandre's proposal to merge the first and second cycles of basic education. Unions warn that the plan, intended to start as a pilot project in the 2027/2028 school year, risks masking systemic teacher shortages rather than addressing the root causes of staffing issues.
Unions reject merger of primary school cycles
Thursday, 10 September 2026AI summary
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.
4 sources
- Government to proceed with the merger of the 1st and 2nd cyclesrtp.pt ·
- Education: Trade union federations reject merger of 1st and 2nd cycles to compensate for teacher shortagesdn.pt ·
- Fenprof says merging the 1st and 2nd cycles requires changing the law and lacks studiescmjornal.pt ·
- Fenprof says merging school cycles requires changing the lawobservador.pt ·
