Latest news and stories about public safety in education in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese government is implementing a new, resilient construction model for school reconstruction, designed to withstand cyclonic winds of up to 200 km/h, earthquakes, and fires, as part of a 1.55 billion euro investment plan.
Former INEM official António Gandra d’Almeida alleges that emergency vehicles are being operated by staff lacking updated driving certifications, contributing to accidents and equipment wear, while other medical professionals criticize the institute's management and funding.
The Government is forming a working group to create guidelines for schools to prohibit activities that contradict educational values, following incidents where 79 public schools hosted digital influencers promoting sexual and misogynistic content. This initiative, outlined by the Ministry of Education and Citizenship (MECI), aims to enhance control over external activities in schools and ensure they align with the mission of promoting democratic citizenship, equity, and inclusion. The group will analyze the legal framework regarding external entities in schools and provide clarity on acceptable activities, with a final report due by March 31.
Approximately 1,800 customers of E-Redes in areas affected by storm Kristin remained without electricity as of 5:00 PM on February 22. The EDP group company stated it is focused on restoring electricity supply. Earlier, 4,500 customers were reported without power. The storms have caused significant damage, resulting in 18 fatalities and affecting 90,000 students due to school closures. The Central, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, and Alentejo regions were the most impacted, with estimated damages in Seixal around 15 million euros.
The old Cerco School, previously inaccessible due to drug-related issues, is being repurposed into a local health unit, marking a significant shift towards improving community health and safety.
Storm Ingrid swept across mainland Portugal, bringing worsening weather that forced the closure of dozens of schools—especially in northern districts—and disrupted transport and public services. This live tracker monitors minute-by-minute developments, reports on emergency services' response, safety advisories for the public, transport interruptions and localised impacts on communities and infrastructure. The page focuses on evolving risks, operational updates from authorities and practical guidance for parents, commuters and vulnerable residents.
The PSP has launched a month‑long school operation, 'Violence? No, thank you!', delivering awareness activities for the whole school community on school-based violence, weapons possession/use and juvenile delinquency. Targeting pupils in the 3rd cycle of basic education and secondary schools, the campaign combines prevention and legal deterrence by warning minors that violent acts can carry criminal consequences. The initiative aims to reduce incidents, improve reporting and engage schools, families and staff in safeguarding measures.
Portugal’s Judicial Police (PJ) has launched a first-of-its-kind campaign to tackle online radicalisation among young people, aiming to alert schools and families to warning signs, raise awareness, prevent recruitment and disrupt extremist influence across digital platforms. The initiative is framed as a preventive, educational and investigative effort combining outreach to educators and parents with targeted policing online. Separately, The Guardian reports heightened international tensions as former US President Trump is reported to be considering military options against Iran following a violent crackdown, underscoring how domestic efforts to shield youth from radicalisation sit alongside broader geopolitical risks.
Three out of seven schools in the Vale de Milhaços cluster in Seixal have contained asbestos for several years. Dozens of people gathered this Wednesday to protest outside the local council, which states it cannot resolve this and other issues without funding from the Ministry.
Daniel Martins, a member of the STOP union board, complained to CM about the presence of asbestos in at least three schools in the municipality.
The woman did not check the water temperature. The incident occurred at a school in Beja.
A technical and pedagogical director of a daycare in Braga, who had been an employee at the establishment for 20 years, was caught in a drug trafficking scheme involving her boyfriend, a boxer.
The victim required hospitalisation. This is not the first incident of this kind at the school.
The suspect was arrested this Thursday for abusing a minor under 16 years of age.
A youth arrested by the judicial police for the alleged rape and kidnapping of two classmates during a school trip has been placed in pre-trial detention.
A 35-year-old man was arrested by the Judicial Police for the repeated crime of sexual abuse of dependent minors. The events under investigation occurred between 2021 and 2023 at a Music Conservatory in the Viseu district, where the suspect works as a teacher. At the start of the incidents, the victim was 16 years old. A statement sent to the press indicates that the sexual abuse allegedly took place during various teaching interactions while the minor was entrusted to the teacher for educational purposes. Investigations are ongoing as authorities have identified other potential victims of similar abusive behaviour. The inquiry is led by the Viseu Public Prosecutor's Office (DIAP). The detainee will be presented to the competent judicial authority for the application of coercive measures.
The use or possession of weapons in schools has increased, with the PSP seizing 54 weapons in the last year. Bullying situations and the ease of online purchasing are driving new cases.
The RASI 2025 is not a report on school violence, but a report on the violence of a country that refuses to see what is happening inside classrooms.
The Public Prosecutor's Office describes that the teacher would place blindfolds on the victims. The children were between six and seven years old.
Faustino Muetunda was walking with friends when he decided to enter the water to swim, disappearing shortly after.
The deregulation and inability to control content on technological platforms allow peers to share intimate content of other students without consent. Editorial by Pedro Candeias.
Incidents in educational establishments have been increasing since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of criminal incidents fell by 0.9% compared to the previous year. Use or possession of weapons in schools rose from 76 to 114.
In 2024/25, illicit acts in school settings increased by 14%, although crimes saw a slight decrease. Notable incidents include physical assault, verbal abuse, and threats. There were 182 recorded sexual offences.
The victim was walking in the area when he decided to go for a swim in the small reservoir.
The RASI report highlights offences against physical integrity, insults and threats, theft, sexual offences, and robbery.
Over 9,000 children in Portugal have already been trained this school year to recognise the early signs of a stroke and respond quickly in an emergency through the educational project The post Over 9,000 Portuguese children learn to spot stroke warning signs appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Right of reply from José António Carvalho, director of the Afonso de Albuquerque School Group (Guarda), regarding an article published on 1 March 2026 in the print and online editions of PÚBLICO.
The court found the man guilty of 62 crimes of sexual abuse of dependent minors, committed against 15 students at the Camilo Castelo Branco Secondary School in Vila Nova de Famalicão.
