Education Minister Fernando Alexandre Commits to Valuing All School Professionals
In a series of letters sent to school directors, teachers, and non-teaching staff, the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, has reaffirmed his commitment to the valorization of all professionals working in schools. This initiative marks the start of the 2025/2026 academic year, emphasizing stability and improvements in the education sector.
Caption: Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre. Photo: Leonel de Castro / Archive
Key Promises and Initiatives
The letters, accessed by Lusa news agency, were dispatched on Wednesday, just before the academic year began. Minister Alexandre highlighted several measures aimed at enhancing the professional lives of educators and staff:
- For teachers, he emphasized the goal of a more stable and predictable career, making the profession compatible with family life. This includes advancing placement competitions and an extraordinary tenure competition, alongside an upcoming revision of the Teaching Career Statute to improve working conditions and recognition.
- To school directors, he praised their leadership and dedication, committing to reforms such as evaluating the transfer of competences to municipalities, revising school autonomy regulations, and proposing a new Statute for Directors to streamline processes.
- For non-teaching staff, including technicians and assistants, the minister acknowledged their role in ensuring a healthy school environment and promised greater attention to their qualification needs for educational functions.
Structural Changes in the Ministry
The new academic year introduces significant organizational changes within the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation, with a reduction in structures. Two new entities are being established: the Agency for Education System Management and the Institute for Education, Quality, and Assessment, which will replace eight existing bodies. These changes are designed to simplify processes and ensure consistency in educational policies, allowing schools to focus more on teaching and learning improvements.
Addressing Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite these efforts, the start of the school year is marred by a shortage of teachers, with hundreds retiring. Minister Alexandre expressed gratitude to all professionals and urged experienced teachers to mentor younger colleagues, sharing their knowledge to overcome current and future challenges. He concluded with a message of unity and dedication, aiming for better educational outcomes.
This comprehensive approach underscores the government's focus on strengthening Portugal's education system through targeted support and reforms.
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