Education Minister Slams Chega's Controversial Remarks on Foreign Students: "I Can Only Regret"
Público2 months ago
980

Education Minister Slams Chega's Controversial Remarks on Foreign Students: "I Can Only Regret"

Politics
education
diversity
politics
chega
students
Share this content:

Summary:

  • Education Minister criticizes Chega for reading names of foreign students, calling it regrettable

  • Diversity in schools is a "positive aspect", despite challenges, says Minister

  • CNPD receives complaints over disclosure of minors' names, may investigate

  • Parent associations condemn actions as fueling hate, consider legal action

  • Number of foreign students quadruples in seven years, reaching 172,279

Education Minister Fernando Alexandre expressed his dismay over the recent actions by Chega's deputy Rita Matias and party leader André Ventura. They publicly read out names of foreign students in a school, suggesting these children were taking spots meant for Portuguese students and hinting at a cultural replacement in the country. "I can only regret this kind of intervention," Alexandre stated during a press conference announcing upcoming academic year changes, including updates to the Citizenship discipline.

Alexandre emphasized that diversity in schools is a "positive aspect", despite the challenges it presents. He highlighted efforts to expand preschool slots and classrooms, noting an increase of 700 classes last year and a similar expansion planned for the next academic year. "Our country is growing, with more children, and we must integrate them, always respecting the values of our Constitution," he added.

The National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) has received dozens of complaints following the disclosure of these minors' names by Chega deputies. The CNPD is currently assessing the total number of complaints and considering whether to launch an official investigation.

In response, several parent associations from central Lisbon schools issued an open letter condemning the act, describing it as a clear attempt to "fuel a narrative of hate" against these children, violating fundamental rights under the Portuguese Constitution. They are contemplating filing complaints with the CNPD and the Commissions for the Protection of Children and Youth.

The number of foreign students in Portuguese schools has significantly increased, especially in primary education, driven by immigration. Provisional figures for the 2024/25 academic year show 172,279 foreign students from preschool to secondary education in public schools, a number that has quadrupled since 2017.

Comments

0

Join Our Community

Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!

Newsletter

Subscribe our newsletter to receive our daily digested news

Join our newsletter and get the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox.

OR
PortugalToday.news logo

PortugalToday.news

Get PortugalToday.news on your phone!

Other Latest News

Portugal Launches New Education Agency with 10-Year Mandates and Performance Bonuses

Portugal Launches New Education Agency with 10-Year Mandates and Performance Bonuses

9 minutes ago
870
Experience the Soul of Lisbon: A Captivating Fado Show in Torres Vedras This September

Experience the Soul of Lisbon: A Captivating Fado Show in Torres Vedras This September

4 hours ago
830
Mota-Engil's African Expansion: Fueling Portugal's Construction Giant with Billion-Dollar Projects

Mota-Engil's African Expansion: Fueling Portugal's Construction Giant with Billion-Dollar Projects

1 hour ago
860
Major Science Reform Gets Green Light: New Agency to Boost Innovation and Economic Impact

Major Science Reform Gets Green Light: New Agency to Boost Innovation and Economic Impact

3 hours ago
960
Record-Breaking Year for Portugal's Return Program: 48 Million Euros in Tax Benefits and 30% Surge in Returnees

Record-Breaking Year for Portugal's Return Program: 48 Million Euros in Tax Benefits and 30% Surge in Returnees

7 hours ago
880
Record-Breaking Wildfires Devastate Spain and Portugal: Climate Change Fuels Worst EU Season Ever

Record-Breaking Wildfires Devastate Spain and Portugal: Climate Change Fuels Worst EU Season Ever

6 hours ago
940
Operafest 2025: Experience Forbidden Loves Through Opera in Lisbon and Oeiras

Operafest 2025: Experience Forbidden Loves Through Opera in Lisbon and Oeiras

12 hours ago
850
Lisbon Metro Workers Announce Strikes on September 9 and 11 Amid Negotiation Deadlock

Lisbon Metro Workers Announce Strikes on September 9 and 11 Amid Negotiation Deadlock

15 hours ago
860
President Marcelo's Surprise Final Speech: Defends Dissolutions and Urges PSD Moderation

President Marcelo's Surprise Final Speech: Defends Dissolutions and Urges PSD Moderation

13 hours ago
850
Majority of Moroccan Migrants Arriving by Boat in Algarve Seek Asylum in Portugal

Majority of Moroccan Migrants Arriving by Boat in Algarve Seek Asylum in Portugal

19 hours ago
1000
World-Renowned Pianist Ludovico Einaudi Announces Intimate Solo Concerts in Lisbon for 2026

World-Renowned Pianist Ludovico Einaudi Announces Intimate Solo Concerts in Lisbon for 2026

22 hours ago
830
Portugal Launches Extraordinary Teacher Recruitment Drive with 1800 Vacancies to Tackle Staff Shortages

Portugal Launches Extraordinary Teacher Recruitment Drive with 1800 Vacancies to Tackle Staff Shortages

20 hours ago
1000
Shooting and Barricade in Barreiro: Man Shot by Brother-in-Law Over Counterfeit Goods Dispute

Shooting and Barricade in Barreiro: Man Shot by Brother-in-Law Over Counterfeit Goods Dispute

21 hours ago
850
Political Firestorm: Portugal's PM Defends Leadership as Opposition Slams 'Late' Response to Wildfires

Political Firestorm: Portugal's PM Defends Leadership as Opposition Slams 'Late' Response to Wildfires

23 hours ago
900
Portugal Faces Teacher Shortage: Government Opens Extraordinary Recruitment with 1800 Positions to Fill 3000 Vacancies

Portugal Faces Teacher Shortage: Government Opens Extraordinary Recruitment with 1800 Positions to Fill 3000 Vacancies

14 hours ago
910
Historic Victory: Neemias Queta's Stellar Performance Ends Portugal's 18-Year EuroBasket Drought

Historic Victory: Neemias Queta's Stellar Performance Ends Portugal's 18-Year EuroBasket Drought

1 day ago
1000
Shocking Domestic Violence Video from Madeira Sparks Outrage Among Portuguese Celebrities

Shocking Domestic Violence Video from Madeira Sparks Outrage Among Portuguese Celebrities

1 day ago
1040
Experts Reveal How to Combat the Mega Wildfires Becoming Common in Portugal

Experts Reveal How to Combat the Mega Wildfires Becoming Common in Portugal

16 hours ago
920
The Silent Death of Lisbon's Independent Culture: How Tourism and Real Estate Are Choking Creativity

The Silent Death of Lisbon's Independent Culture: How Tourism and Real Estate Are Choking Creativity

10 hours ago
830
PCP Defies Lisbon Mayor Moedas by Reinstalling Giant Political Billboard in Central Axis

PCP Defies Lisbon Mayor Moedas by Reinstalling Giant Political Billboard in Central Axis

9 hours ago
980
Groundbreaking Discovery: Tectonic Plate Fissure Near Portugal Could Unlock Secrets of Major Earthquakes

Groundbreaking Discovery: Tectonic Plate Fissure Near Portugal Could Unlock Secrets of Major Earthquakes

1 day ago
1010
Domestic Violence Suspect in Machico Awaits Court Decision Today - Key Details Revealed

Domestic Violence Suspect in Machico Awaits Court Decision Today - Key Details Revealed

1 day ago
920