Latest news and stories about special needs in Portugal for expats and residents.
Parents and teachers are concerned about the true inclusion of children with special needs. They report mutual aggression, a lack of resources, classes exceeding legal limits, and children being excluded.
Schools speak of a setback and a violation of children's right to education.
Special education schools are still waiting for the 10% funding increase announced by the government in January. They describe their financial situation as unsustainable and warn that the next school year is at risk. Despite the Ministry of Education's pledge to raise monthly per-student funding from €651.26 to €716.39, payments remain delayed, leaving schools struggling to pay staff and suppliers. The Association of Private and Cooperative Education Establishments (AEEP) notes that an annual injection of €2.1 million would be sufficient to secure operations, yet the Ministry has not provided a timeline for the release of these funds.
The difficulty in providing an adequate response to students with special educational needs is more severe in the interior of the country, particularly in Alentejo.
Institutions protested outside the Ministry of Education, warning of underfunding and the risk of having to close their doors. Parents emphasise the work the schools do in their children's progress.
Private institutions that take pupils referred by the ministry warn of underfunding and the risk of closure. On 5 January they will protest outside the Ministry of Education.
Fewer than 40% receive a grant. The vast majority have no form of individualised support during their course — for most this is because they do not need it, but one in three are unaware that such support exists.
Government authorises recruitment for 'immediate' support for children with specific educational needs.
