Latest news and stories about education policy in Portugal for expats and residents.
In the document released by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) and sent to the unions for the negotiation meeting on Wednesday, the Government presents its proposal to revise the Teaching Career Statute.
The new rector of Nova University of Lisbon, Paulo Pereira, has dismissed concerns regarding a potential reduction in faculty autonomy, labeling them as “completely unfounded” in a recent interview. He emphasized the need for improved cohesion among the university's various organic units, acknowledging that there is significant work to be done in fostering a more unified culture within the institution.
A recent decree from the rector of Universidade Nova de Lisboa has mandated that all faculties must have names in Portuguese, leading to significant controversy and discussions about the potential separation of the School of Business and Economics (SBE). Critics argue that SBE would lose more than it would gain from such a separation, highlighting the complexities of institutional identity and language policy in higher education.
This year, students have 56,790 places available in the national access competition and local competitions for higher education. Institutions may require only one exam for admission, providing a streamlined process for applicants. This guide outlines the necessary exams and changes in policy for those seeking to enter higher education.
Fernando Alexandre met with teachers' unions to discuss a proposal from the ministry that provides for the creation of a new national competition to respond to the daily needs of schools.
A new directive stipulates that, similar to the policy already in place for doctors, teachers assigned to areas with a shortage of educators are guaranteed school placements for their children in that region.
At a time when there is a push to raise higher education standards, we must not over-standardise. Rigour is necessary, but it must go hand in hand with autonomy and freedom.
The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, stated today that decentralisation in the field of education is “going very well”, although he admits there are aspects to improve in the relationship between municipalities and schools.
The government wants entrance exams for special admissions to be more demanding. However, these admissions have been important for the survival of some institutions.
The article discusses the launch of 'Babell', a cultural event in Porto where the price of admission to sessions is the purchase of a book. The author argues that culture is a structural necessity rather than a luxury, and praises the initiative by the Livraria Lello Foundation and the Porto City Council for using literature as a tool for civic participation and resistance against conformity. The piece also criticizes the recent decision to make Saramago's works optional reading in schools.
In 1992, Sousa Lara removed Saramago from the European Literary Prize. Lara ended up in the Chega party, which he left to avoid losing his lifetime subsidy; Saramago went on to receive the Nobel Prize. Cavaco did not attend his funeral. And the spirit of Lara still hangs over the PSD. The only Portuguese literature Nobel laureate may no longer be required reading in schools. The right, with its homogenising vision of national identity, cannot bear that someone with Saramago's profile is a symbol of our culture. Or is it just another poorly handled affair?
The assessment was “consensual”. The opinion from the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities states that the draft decree-law, which provides for the definition of minimum levels of literacy, numeracy, and English for entry into higher education, is “incoherent”, “disproportionate”, and “without justification”.
Home News Minister of Education defends increase in tuition fees in Portugal Minister of Education defends increase in tuition fees in Portugal On 24 March, the Minister of Education reiterated his support for higher education tuition fee increases, the day students held a national demonstration
The webpage provides a roundup of recent political and social news in Portugal. Key topics include a controversy over meal regimes with the Education Minister considering changes, a fraud case involving businessman Joe Berardo, and a corruption investigation linked to Christmas lights in local authorities. Additionally, there are updates on legal proceedings related to the Operation Marquês case, economic issues such as fuel price increases and vehicle tax payments, and ongoing coverage of the Ukraine conflict. Cultural highlights include an exhibition of Jorge Molder's work, while international concerns focus on a UN report warning that the Ukraine war could push 45 million more people into acute hunger. Local civic news reports police searches connected to an investigation in Tavira.
Prohibiting higher education institutions from hiring their own PhD graduates for three years after completing their doctorate may exacerbate regional asymmetries and is not the only way to combat endogamy. Opinion by João Pedro Caseiro
The dispute centres on the Government's decision to exchange the former headquarters of the Ministry of Education for two buildings of the Open University in the Príncipe Real area.
A statement scheduled at 17:00 by the Minister of Education regarding the reopening of schools in the Leiria district.
Statement by Seguro saying he is, in principle, opposed to ending the freeze on tuition fees.
The presidential candidate stressed he would have to see any decree that might eventually reach him in order to decide whether to promulgate or veto it.
Presidential candidate António José Seguro said today that he would, in principle, be against lifting the freeze on tuition fees, but qualified that he would need to see any decree that reached him before deciding whether to promulgate it or veto it.
There is a heavy concentration of students on the coast and the “near inevitability” of those living inland having to travel. Researchers map student mobility and make recommendations.
The matter concerns a note sent to schools on 7 January requesting the recording and export of class registers “up to the end of the month in which the lessons are taught” to the central data repository.
The Education Minister said this Monday in Sobral de Monte Agraço, Mafra, that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) “is a reality that cannot be ignored”, urging schools to adapt to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks. “It is a reality that cannot be ignored and therefore what we have ...”
The Education Minister argued that artificial intelligence must be taken seriously and should not be overlooked in education policy, urging attention to its role and impact on teaching and learning.
If we want an inclusive, competitive and socially relevant higher education, the solution is not to lower the bar but to raise the quality of the entire educational pathway. Opinion by Luís Ferreira
Fenprof said today that the Ministry of Education has added “another source of disruption to the running of schools” by making the registration of lesson summaries compulsory, while the Missão Escola Pública is seeking clarification about what it calls a “non-issue”.
An official letter dated 7 January — the same day the Government met with unions to discuss the statute governing the teaching career — was sent to schools informing them that recording class registers is compulsory, describing them as indispensable for “validation of the teaching service provided and the corresponding remuneration”.
'Frankly, I think everything will stay the same,' says an official of the Lisbon Academic Federation.
The shortage of teachers is structural and predictable.
The issue of higher education costs borne by students remains on the table: five different proposals were submitted to the Assembly of the Republic in recent days.
