Presidential candidate Marques Mendes visited the Visconde de Juromenha School Group in Mem Martins, Sintra, today. This institution is attended by students representing 52 nationalities, with nearly a third of the 1,500 students being of foreign origin.
During a one-hour tour of the school, where he interacted with students from Angola, Brazil, and Tajikistan, Mendes stated the need for regulated and integrated immigration, emphasizing the crucial role schools play in effective immigrant integration.
“A foreign child or youngster in school learns Portuguese, feels comfortable with peers, and contributes to a happy family environment. By aiding in language learning, schools make integration easier,” he explained.
Supported by the PSD, Mendes stressed the school’s importance in immigrant regulation and integration and praised the decisive role of educators who help students, irrespective of their initial language capabilities, integrate successfully.
On the same day the Government convened a Council of Ministers to discuss changes to nationality law, Mendes applauded the decision to prioritize immigration in this legislative session.
“This is indeed a priority issue. I draw attention to an existing government measure—the creation of linguistic and cultural mediators in schools. Here, for instance, there is at least one. This is a positive trend,” he commented.
When questioned about the sufficiency of such measures, noting just one mediator for 500 foreign students at the school, Mendes acknowledged that resources would always be limited but emphasized the importance of outcomes.
The outcome at this school, according to Mendes, is “a fantastic atmosphere” with “good integration” among students of “many different nationalities” where even those initially speaking only Russian learned Portuguese.
“We should acknowledge issues but also appreciate what is working well,” he stated.
Regarding potential constraints on family reunification as suggested by the Prime Minister, Mendes expressed no objection to the general principle but preferred to wait for the government’s specific decision.
He opined that family reunification is “beneficial and conducive to integration,” opposing a complete suspension as proposed by Chega, but acknowledged the necessity of regulation.
“I understand the need for certain rules, particularly concerning employment and other conditions,” he said.
Regarding proposed nationality law changes that would strip naturalized citizens of nationality if they commit certain crimes, Mendes reserved comments until the executive’s proposal is known.
“Understanding the direction of such a proposal is crucial given the political, human, and constitutional issues involved. I must wait to see the concrete text before forming an opinion,” he noted.
