Education: Education quality news in Portugal

The government has submitted a proposal to the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) to ratify an agreement with Brazil that simplifies school equivalence for basic and secondary education. Currently, Brazilian students represent nearly half of all foreign pupils in Portuguese public schools. While the agreement addresses primary and secondary levels, it does not yet extend to higher education.

Minister of Education Fernando Alexandre announced that the number of school schedules without assigned teachers has fallen from 1,208 in January to 448 in March. The minister attributed this improvement to new placements and the correction of administrative errors that previously inflated the data. However, teaching unions continue to dispute these figures, claiming the actual shortage remains more significant than official reports suggest.

A study by the University of Minho reveals that 72% of mayors (autarcas) believe central government funding is insufficient to cover the costs of non-teaching school staff. The research also found that 64% of municipalities face a deficit of at least 20% for school meals (apoio alimentar). The Minister of Territorial Cohesion acknowledged the shortfall and suggested a revision of the local finance law (Lei das Finanças Locais) to address the imbalance.

A revised version of the Essential Learning (Aprendizagens Essenciais) curriculum for all basic and secondary school subjects is now open for public consultation until the end of April. The update aims to modernize content and improve consistency across different school cycles, including new guidelines for Citizenship and Development (Cidadania e Desenvolvimento). Parents and educators should note that the new standards are currently being tested in 13 school clusters before a nationwide rollout next year.

Education Minister Fernando Alexandre proposed a new legal framework (Regime Jurídico dos Graus e Diplomas) for university admission. Candidates would need to meet minimum levels in English, literacy, and numeracy to enter bachelor's or master's programs. Families with students should note that while the government aims to raise standards, student groups warn these requirements could exclude some applicants.

Rector Paulo Pereira requested an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Education following reports that the Nova School of Business and Economics (Faculdade de Economia or Nova SBE) seeks formal separation from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa. While the school denies wanting an institutional divorce, it continues to push for greater management autonomy and the use of English-language branding. Students and staff should note that the university leadership maintains there has been no interference in the school's internal affairs.

Thousands of students marched in Lisbon on National Student Day (Dia Nacional do Estudante) to demand free higher education and more student housing. The protest coincided with comments from Education Minister Fernando Alexandre, who suggested that tuition fees (propinas) should be adjusted for inflation after being frozen for several years. The government has promised 14,000 new beds in student residences by the next academic year to address the housing crisis. Families with university students should be aware of potential cost increases in future state budgets.

The Porto Business School's Global Online MBA reached sixth place worldwide in the Financial Times Online MBA Ranking 2026. The program was ranked first globally for 'Value for Money' and 'overall satisfaction', with alumni reporting a 28% average salary increase three years after graduation. Students should note it is the only Portuguese institution featured in this specific global ranking.

The Ministry of Education is investigating reports that nearly 80 schools were visited by digital influencers linked to adult content during student association campaigns over the last two years. The investigation follows media reports revealing weaknesses in school management bodies that allowed these individuals to participate in student activities. Parents should be aware that the government has announced new guidelines to prohibit any school activities that contradict educational values.

Registrations for the first phase of the national secondary school exams opened on 6 March and run until 19 March; students may also register for self‑proposed 9th‑grade tests. The Directorate‑General for Education (Direção‑Geral da Educação) published the registration rules: internal and self‑proposed students must register, take a Portuguese exam and choose two additional subjects according to the instructions. Students and parents should complete registrations before the 19 March deadline and follow the DGE guidance on subject choices.

Fenprof, the national teachers' union, refused to continue negotiations with the Government over the teaching career statute after the ministry barred the union Stop from the meeting because it was protesting outside the Ministry of Education. Fenprof said it could not accept what it called an undermining of the right to protest; the Secretary of State for Education said the Government will not negotiate “under pressure.” Teachers and school staff should watch how the standoff affects progress on the career statute and any planned strike or industrial-action dates.

Fenprof, the National Federation of Teachers, says some teachers in artistic and vocational education have been kept on fixed‑term contracts (contratos a termo) for up to 15 years, a practice Fenprof warns breaches EU community directives. The federation's secretary‑general raised the issue to highlight long‑term instability in that sector. Teachers working in arts and vocational schools and parents of pupils should be aware this dispute could prompt inspections or legal challenges.

The Financial Times MBA rankings put The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova among Portugal's top programmes and mark the debut of Porto Business School in the top 100 at 96th place. The Lisbon MBA consolidated its national leadership, while the Porto programme's entry raises the country's international profile for executive education. Executives and prospective MBA candidates should factor rising international recognition into decisions about study location and employer sponsorship.

Update: Porto Business School debuts at 96th

ECO and Dinheiro Vivo report The Lisbon MBA retained its national leadership in the Financial Times Global MBA rankings while Porto Business School made its first appearance in the top 100 at 96th. Dinheiro Vivo notes The Lisbon MBA has about 80% foreign students and roughly 50% foreign faculty, underlining the programme's international orientation.