Latest news and stories about education quality in Leiria, 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.
Six weeks after Storm Kristin, students in Vieira de Leiria continue to face significant educational disruptions, with classes held in makeshift locations including containers and a former mortuary chapel due to ongoing infrastructure repairs.
Companies, municipalities, citizens, the entire mainland and even the islands, areas with damage caused by the 'train of storms' and others that have nothing to do with the calamitous weather situation that began on January 28 with the low-pressure system Kristin. There is even a promise to enrich academia with the creation of the University of Leiria.
Eurico Brilhante Dias and Catarina Louro reveal they have submitted a question to the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, requesting clarification on the current status of the process.
Students from the Raul Proença School Group in Caldas da Rainha will be prepared for the competitive technology market. In total, 20 students of various nationalities are participating in the program.
Schools affected by the passage of Storm Kristin begin digital trial exams today. Are the conditions guaranteed? An interview with the president of the Monte Real and Carvide Parish Council.
By 12:00, 70,000 of the 74,000 6th-grade trial exams had been completed, but connectivity issues in Leiria and Marinha Grande highlighted vulnerabilities, says the Minister of Education.
Exams for 4th, 6th, and 9th grades began this Tuesday to test the digital format in which external assessments will be conducted starting at the end of May.
The trial exams were scheduled for 23 February but were postponed due to storms. Some students will still take tests in temporary structures, such as in Leiria or Marinha Grande.
The building is being renovated to open in September with 200 students aged three to eleven, who will follow an international curriculum taught in English.
Gonçalo Lopes says that 'more scientific participation' is needed to find more accurate forecasting models. Additionally, the Minister of Education says it is necessary to learn how to 'deal with adversity'.
The Government announced in Leiria that school reconstruction will follow a common construction model inspired by countries exposed to 200 km/h winds to ensure structural resilience. Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Fernando Alexandre stated that the goal is to prevent schools from becoming inoperable during future storms. The government is working with local municipalities to redesign existing projects, allowing for adjustments to increase resilience against storms, earthquakes, and fires. This initiative is part of a broader plan to invest over 1.55 billion euros in nearly 400 schools across Portugal by the end of the decade, following the widespread destruction caused by storms Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta.
The Government revealed today, in Leiria, that the reconstruction of schools will be based on a common construction model, supported by the example of countries exposed to 200-kilometre winds, ensuring their resistance.
Fernando Alexandre said the goal is to ensure that, “if there is a storm, a school will not become inoperable again.”
The Marrazes school cluster in Leiria is gaining national recognition for its inclusive approach to multiculturalism. With 32% of its 2,500 students coming from 37 different countries, the school has developed a pedagogical 'welcome kit'—a booklet illustrated by students that helps immigrant children navigate school life and local culture. Led by social worker Patrícia Oliveira, the initiative has expanded into nine languages and is now being adopted by other schools across Portugal as a model for integration and combating xenophobia.
Right of reply from Elizabete Maria Lourenço Matos Costa regarding an article published on 1 March 2026 in the print and online editions of PÚBLICO.
New universities will be located in the regions of Leiria and Porto.
11 educational establishments still need to be opened across the municipality.
Mainly primary schools and nursery schools will reopen this Wednesday. However, some classrooms will be moved to other premises.
Plans include reallocating space and procuring modular units to replace classrooms that are not fit to receive pupils. Municipalities are expected to provide transport.
The Education Minister says 'there will be few' pupils without classes in a week's time and admits the temporary relocation of pupils to schools other than their own.
Although there is still work to be done to restore the infrastructure, safety conditions are assured. Meanwhile, in Alcácer do Sal, the floods have been the main cause for concern.
A statement scheduled at 17:00 by the Minister of Education regarding the reopening of schools in the Leiria district.
Most schools in the Leiria region will reopen next Wednesday, the Education Minister announced, after he received assurances to that effect.
The school centres in the municipality of Nazaré will be open on Monday and Tuesday to accommodate the children of priority workers, namely those in the health sector, firefighters and security forces, the town council said.
The measure aims to support families who provide essential services to the community, namely in healthcare, the fire service and the security forces.
The municipality says that pupil transport is guaranteed.
The municipality of Marinha Grande has around 6,000 pupils spread across 32 public and private educational establishments.
“He admitted that he spoke loudly and grabbed the child's arm as a way of correcting their behaviour [in the classroom] so they would pay attention, but denied any slaps,” the lawyer said.
