Education Minister's Controversial Stance: Should Portugal Reinstate Tuition Refunds or Reinvest in Schools?

Ongoing Debate on Tuition Refunds

During a parliamentary session, Education Minister Fernando Alexandre revealed that the government has yet to decide on the future of the tuition refund program. He expressed a preference for reallocating the €500 million associated with the refund back into the educational system, particularly focusing on social actions.

No Clear Decision on Tuition Fees

Minister Alexandre indicated that the government is still evaluating the salary bonus system, questioning its fairness and effectiveness. He stated, "We have doubts about the validity and equity of this measure." Instead of distributing funds uniformly, he emphasized the need to provide support to those facing economic challenges in accessing higher education.

Future of Tuition Fees Uncertain

The minister was pressed by various political parties regarding the possible unfreezing of tuition fees. He deferred the discussion to the next State Budget, stating, "We will not make a decision until a thorough study is completed by the Nova University of Lisbon, expected next month." He clarified that any changes would not represent an increase but rather a reassessment of current fees.

Funding Higher Education

Alexandre noted that while tuition fees are not the central funding source for higher education, they do provide institutions with necessary financial autonomy. He highlighted the importance of adapting to modern educational needs and ensuring that institutions can attract researchers and improve facilities.

Teacher Recruitment and Challenges

In the same session, Alexandre reported that 5,039 teachers have joined public schools this year, although only 55 of the targeted 200 retired teachers have returned. He acknowledged the mixed success of various initiatives aimed at improving the educational system, noting that some measures, such as hiring language and cultural mediators, have been more successful than anticipated.

Addressing Educational Needs

The government has also authorized the hiring of additional operational assistants to support children with special educational needs. Furthermore, the minister discussed the recent mock exams conducted across the country, which engaged over 900,000 students in critical assessments, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance educational quality and connectivity issues.