“We will not allow consequences for the workers we represent as a result of a proposal made almost in secrecy,” emphasized Anabela Sotaia, president of the National Council of the National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof).
Sotaia addressed journalists after a meeting with the MECI concerning exceptional measures to address the teacher shortage, initially discussed two weeks prior, during which Minister Fernando Alexandre introduced a reform of his Ministry, approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday.
Currently, comprising 18 entities and 27 senior leaders across non-higher education and higher education, science, and innovation services, the MECI will reduce to just seven entities with the integration of former entities into new ones while maintaining the 27 senior leadership positions.
The non-higher education system will see the most significant reduction. From the current eight sectoral entities, including three directorates-general, there will be two large agencies: the Institute of Education, Quality, and Evaluation and the Agency for the Management of the Educational System.
Fenprof has accused the government of “dismantling” the Ministry of Education through this reform, insisting on a negotiation process, even though some changes are intended to be implemented from September 1.
“This was done behind everyone’s back and cannot be like this,” stated the Federation’s Secretary-General, José Feliciano Costa, advocating for negotiations on the matter.
Anabela Sotaia noted that some organizational changes would impact the lives of school professionals.
Daniel Martins, from the Union of All Education Professionals (Stop), also criticized the administration, calling the process imposing and undemocratic.
“Stop will call for a meeting with all unions from all areas in September to evaluate a joint response to this scenario,” he explained, also expressing concern about recent labor law changes proposed by the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security.
Regarding measures to address the teacher shortage, discussed again today after union contributions were submitted, teacher representatives argued that the measures are insufficient.
“These are temporary measures, support, supplements, and these issues are resolved with concrete and definitive actions,” argued the Vice-Secretary-General of the National Federation of Education (FNE), referring to the review process of the Teacher Career Statute, set to begin in September.
In the next academic year, the MECI will renew some measures established under the ‘+ Aulas + Sucesso’ plan, launched last year to address the teacher shortage.
Among the continuing exceptional measures are additional remuneration for teachers extending their careers beyond retirement, hiring already retired teachers, and contracting higher education teachers and doctoral researchers.
Another new measure announced by the government is the advancement, to September, of extended relocation support for all displaced teachers, with increased pay for those placed in schools in areas with greater need.
