Education: Education policy news in Portugal

What exams do I need to take? And what changes this year for access to higher education?

President of the Republic enacts legislation on accessibility for students with special needs

The new regime provides a set of rights for students with a disability rating of 60% or higher, verified by a multi-purpose medical certificate.

MetaProf files complaint with the Ombudsman

Faced with the 'asymmetry in the right to consult evidence' and the lack of information provided during the process, the teachers' movement filed a formal complaint against the Ministry of Education.

Start of secondary school classes postponed to 21 September

Secondary school classes will start one week later. The Ministry of Education will evaluate whether the start of the school year for 3rd cycle students will also be changed. Teacher recruitment and support will also change.

Portugal extends school smartphone ban to pupils up to ninth grade

The Portuguese government is extending its ban on smartphone use in schools to include pupils up to the ninth year of education, citing evidence that the restrictions improve behaviour and The post Portugal extends school smartphone ban to pupils up to ninth grade appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Start of school year postponed. Minister confirms secondary school only begins on 21 September

The Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, confirmed this Thursday that secondary school classes will start one week later, on 21 September. “Regarding secondary school, there will be a postponement to the 21st. Regarding the third cycle, we still have to evaluate,” the official stated in a press conference at the end of the meeting.

1pm. Fernando Alexandre admits to postponing the start of the school year

Fernando Alexandre insists once again that no student will be disadvantaged. Furthermore, the fire in the municipality of Rochoso, in Guarda, has had three active fronts since early this morning.

Press review: Corruption suspicions in referee appointments reach the PJ, and companies rely more on vocational training

Público reports that corruption allegations regarding football referee appointments have reached the Judiciary Police (PJ). The newspaper also covers the story of Daniela do Mar, a Portuguese sailor held in Hormuz for months before returning to Portugal on April 25th. Jornal de Notícias highlights that Portuguese companies are increasingly dependent on vocational training and want more involvement in curriculum development. The paper also notes that the 'big three' football clubs have spent 207 million on signings. Correio da Manhã reports that the Supreme Court upheld a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence for an IT worker at the IGFEJ who used stolen credentials to commit fraud. CNN Portugal reports that Casa Ermelinda Freitas and two executives were convicted of fraud in obtaining European subsidies. Diário de Notícias highlights a poll showing a lack of public confidence in the Minister of Education regarding upcoming exams. Negócios reports that the Government expects to conclude negotiations with Brisa within two months, while Eco notes that the German manager Mutares is claiming up to 80 million euros from Parpública.

Regular audits of the teacher placement platform become mandatory

A proposed decree-law creates two national recruitment processes, one of which will be open year-round. Teachers without pedagogical qualifications may be hired, but must complete professional training within a set deadline.

Coimbra students demand the resignation of the Minister of Education

The opposition to Fernando Alexandre is shared by students at the University of Coimbra, who are demanding the resignation of the Minister of Education.

“Students must get to work”: Youth wings of political parties hope to “wake up” student activism after “chaos” in exams

The first protest called by students against the Minister of Education takes place this Friday, with left-wing parties in attendance. The JSD admits the Government “failed” but argues that “solutions” have already been created. The JP accuses the left of “political opportunism”.

Minister of Education guarantees he always tells the truth and criticises the Left Bloc

Fabian Figueiredo challenged Fernando Alexandre to tell the truth about the pilot project for the digitisation of national exams in Philosophy and Mathematics.

4 PM. Exams. Principals reject increase in re-evaluation requests

The president of the National Association of Directors of Groups and Public Schools says the number of requests is very close to last year's. Additionally, Livre and BE want access to the documentation.

3h National Exams. Minister speaks of exaggerated alarmism

The Minister addresses concerns regarding the national exams, dismissing the current discourse as excessive alarmism.

Ministry of Education wants "universal suffrage" to elect school principals

School cluster principals are elected by the General Council, which includes representatives of teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, students, local authorities, and the local community.

10am. Musician and composer Luís Represas has died

The singer was about to celebrate 50 years of his career. Also, the Minister of Education is meeting with sector trade unions this morning.

PCP and BE demand end to fee for exam re-evaluation

The PCP and BE parties have demanded that the Government immediately scrap the 25-euro fee for exam re-evaluations, citing growing distrust in the current examination process. Fabian Figueiredo (BE) and Paula Santos (PCP) argued that the fee acts as a financial barrier for families affected by errors in the Ministry of Education's procedures, urging Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to intervene as the Ministry of Education refuses to abolish the charge.

Minister of Education says that the "Government has no report whatsoever" on the Philosophy exam pilot test

The former president of the National Examination Board accused the minister of not having requested “any assessment of the Philosophy exam from the JNE”.

1 p.m. Portugal records the fifth highest debt in the eurozone

The data comes from Eurostat and indicates that public debt in the eurozone generally worsened in the first quarter of this year. Furthermore, the Public Prosecutor's Office will appeal the acquittal of Ricardo Salgado.

Education minister faces parliamentary grilling over digital exams debacle

Education Minister, Fernando Alexandre, will be answering questions from MPs in parliament this morning over the government’s troubled rollout of digital marking for this year’s national secondary school exams, following The post Education minister faces parliamentary grilling over digital exams debacle appeared first on Portugal Resident.

It is not a communication problem. It is a decision one

The statement clarifies that the core issue lies in the decision-making process rather than in how information is being communicated.

Parliament elects António Barbas Homem as president of the National Education Council

The full professor at the University of Lisbon Faculty of Law will replace university professor Domingos Fernandes, who took office in June 2022, for the next four years.

António Barbas Homem is the new president of the National Education Council

António Barbas Homem will replace university professor Domingos Fernandes for the next four years

Minister of Education to go to Parliament on Friday to provide explanations regarding the exam controversy

The Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, and the Deputy Secretary of State, Alexandre Homem Cristo, will attend the urgent debate on national exams next Friday.

Fernando Alexandre's elevator

If Friday's grades turn out right, the minister will survive, as August is the best Portuguese anaesthetic. If the re-evaluations show incomplete evidence classified as complete, the problem becomes the truth of the grades, and he will not survive that, nor should he.