The announcement was made today by José Feliciano Costa, Secretary-General of the National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof), during a press conference in Lisbon to discuss the start of another academic year.
José Feliciano Costa questioned the legality of decree-law no. 99, which abolished the Directorate-General for School Administration, the Directorate-General for School Establishments, and the Institute for Financial Management of Education, while establishing the AGSE.
“There are constitutional doubts surrounding this public institution (the AGSE), as the competencies assigned are constitutionally attributed to the Government,” stated the Secretary-General of Fenprof.
In response, the largest teachers’ union representative plans to request meetings with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the Ombudsman “to initiate successive constitutional review” of the decree, announced José Feliciano Costa.
According to Fenprof, the reorganization within the Ministry of Education, which involves the dissolution and creation of new entities, “is the first part of the so-called State Reform, the name given to the ongoing dismantling process of ministries not integrated into sovereign functions.”
Fenprof believes the new decree initiates the project of “privatization of educational system management,” with the AGSE being “indirect state administration.”
Feliciano Costa noted that the AGSE would manage contests, teacher careers, and performance evaluations, while also having the autonomy to contract with private entities or municipalities for the provision of educational services.
During the press conference, Fenprof reiterated the shortage of teachers in schools, particularly in the regions of Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve, advocating for a “significant review” of the Teaching Career Statute to make the profession more appealing.
Based on data gathered by Fenprof from schools earlier today, approximately 93,000 students are still facing a shortage of teachers.
A survey conducted this week confirmed that aside from the lack of teachers, schools require more technical assistants, operational assistants, and senior technicians.
Schools began welcoming the first students on Thursday, marking the start of another academic year, with around 1.6 million children and young people enrolled from preschool to secondary education.
