FRAP Algarve and FNE Tackle Critical School Challenges in Online Meeting
On July 5, 2025, FRAP Algarve met with the National Education Federation (FNE) in an online session highlighted by the presence of FNE's Secretary-General, Pedro Barreiros. The discussion focused on the pressing issues affecting Algarve's schools, particularly impacting students, parents, and staff.
Represented by Marta Rodrigues, President of the Executive Council, and Vice-Presidents Susana Vicente and Fernando Machado, FRAP Algarve shared concrete data and sought collaborative solutions to enhance regional school conditions.
Key Challenges in Algarve Schools
- Teacher Shortages: As of September 2024, 126 teaching positions remained unfilled, leaving approximately 13,000 students without essential subjects like Mathematics, Portuguese, English, Physics-Chemistry, and Special Education.
- Overcrowded Classes and Lack of Support: Some classes in municipalities like Faro, Loulé, and Portimão exceed 30 students. The scarcity of specialized technicians and operational assistants further compromises learning quality and student support.
- Digital Exam Failures: The 2025 digital exams were plagued by severe network, equipment, and software issues.
- Mental Health at Risk: With only one psychologist per 1,500 students—far from the ideal ratio of 1:900—cases of anxiety and depression are rising, especially among middle school students.
Joint Advocacy by FRAP Algarve and FNE
The organizations united in calling for:
- Increased staffing with stable contracts and swift responses.
- Enhanced psychological and emotional support, tailored to each school's needs.
- Adequate conditions for digital exams, including proper technological resources and guaranteed technical support.
Why This Meeting Matters
The urgency to act is palpable among parents, teachers, students, and staff, who daily endure the effects of resource shortages. This meeting was a crucial step toward highlighting these issues and crafting solutions grounded in the realities of Algarve's schools.
FRAP Algarve and FNE remain steadfast in their commitment to a quality, inclusive public education system focused on student well-being. Their collaborative efforts continue, underscoring that education is a collective responsibility—where the present shapes the future.
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