The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, approved on Tuesday the legislation leading to the dissolution of several entities, including the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
On the Presidency’s website, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa indicated his approval of the decree, which had sparked controversy about a month ago, while issuing some warnings.
Thus, Marcelo has given the ‘green light’ for the establishment of the Agency for the Management of the Educational System and approved its structure, effectively dissolving the Institute for Financial Management of Education, the Directorate-General for School Administration, and the Directorate-General for School Establishments.
Marcelo issues warning and “expresses reservations”
In the note published online, Marcelo cautioned that he expects the planned merger process and the new agency “to reflect not only a commitment made by Portugal to the European Commission but also to foster a more coordinated and effective public administration in Education, avoiding the creation of cumbersome and difficult-to-operate structures.”
The head of state also noted that the ‘green light’ was given “while expressing reservations regarding the powers attributed to the Coordination and Regional Development Commissions or those transferred from the Foundation for Science and Technology.”
Controversy over the “extinction” (and the ensuing reactions)
The announcement concerning the dissolution of several entities, including the FCT, was made at the end of July by the Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, within the context of a reform in the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation.
The reform in the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation (MECI) was approved on July 31 by the Council of Ministers. At a press conference following the meeting, Fernando Alexandre justified the restructuring by describing his ministry as an “anachronistic structure,” with fragmented organizations, disintegrated information systems, and disjointed governance.
With 18 entities and 27 senior managers among the non-higher education services and higher education, science, and innovation, the MECI will now include only seven entities and 27 senior managers, integrating the dissolved entities into new ones.
Lusa | 15:42 – 31/07/2025
With 18 entities and 27 senior managers among the non-higher education services and higher education, science, and innovation, the MECI will now include only seven entities and 27 senior managers, integrating the dissolved entities into new ones.
Regarding the dissolution of the FCT, the minister assured at the time that science funding would be preserved, with four-year funding ensuring stability, predictability, and “the protection of fundamental basic research funding.”
At the time, controversy arose, and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that if he had “doubts about an important aspect of the decree,” he would ask the Government to reconsider, which, given the ‘green light,’ apparently did not occur—despite the issued warnings.
The head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, acknowledged that the Executive might “invoke” goals and objectives from Brussels as a basis for the decision to dissolve the Foundation for Science and Technology, announced on Thursday.
Ana Teresa Banha | 14:50 – 01/08/2025
It wasn’t only the President who suggested that “simple extinction might not be a good idea.” Parties like the PS also considered the lack of dialogue a problem. “It’s incomprehensible that the Government advanced with a reform aiming to merge the Foundation for Science and Technology without prior dialogue with higher education institutions and researchers,” said José Luís Carneiro, Secretary-General of the Socialist Party.
Additionally, the president of the Organization of Scientific Workers, Frederico Gama Carvalho, stated that the dissolution of the FCT suffers from the “original sin” of lacking debate with the scientific community. In statements to Lusa, he noted at the time that the Executive’s decision was a “unilateral initiative by the Government without consulting scientific workers’ representatives.”
The president of the Organization of Scientific Workers stated that the dissolution of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) suffers from the “original sin” of lacking debate with the scientific community.
Lusa | 20:50 – 01/08/2025
Others, like the National Federation of Education or the National Union of Higher Education, also voiced their criticisms, which can be recalled here.
[Updated at 11:39]
