On the day various media outlets unveil rankings of private and public schools based on national exam results, the president of Confap argues that a high ranking does not necessarily signify a better school.
“Rankings reveal which schools achieved the best exam results, indicating those students were better prepared, but it doesn’t mean they are better schools or that those students are superior in all social competencies,” emphasized Mariana Carvalho, president of Confap, in a statement.
Parents, she suggests, should be shown rankings of “child-friendly schools,” those with the “best school environment,” and institutions that prepare young people to live responsibly and respectfully in society, rather than focusing solely on top academic performers.
Mariana Carvalho believes that private schools spend extensive time preparing their students for exams, while public schools face diverse realities requiring action on multiple fronts.
With students from various socioeconomic backgrounds, public schools must serve a portion of the population lacking financial means for tutoring or extra lessons when children struggle, explained Mariana Carvalho.
Additionally, some children arrive at school without breakfast, or bring with them issues from home that outweigh the subjects taught by teachers.
School directors also highlight instances where the primary concern is ensuring all students attend classes and do not drop out.
Several studies have shown that it is significantly more challenging for poorer students to achieve high academic results, and Portugal is no exception: Students without Social School Support scored better across all subjects compared to peers from disadvantaged families, according to last year’s national exam averages.
Mariana Carvalho also pointed out that strikes and teacher shortages are much more prevalent issues in public schools.
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