The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, believes that the current government has restored “calm in schools” and that the upcoming academic year, like the previous one, marks a “significant difference” compared to prior years.
On Thursday, at the commencement of the 2025/2026 academic year at Escola Básica Ferreira de Castro in Algueirão-Mem Martins, the minister acknowledged ongoing efforts to improve teachers’ working conditions.
“We have seen teachers focused on their mission inside classrooms and not outside in protests. Obviously, what we want is to improve the conditions, and we are working towards that, so they can be even more focused,” he told reporters.
Assuring that the government identifies issues and seeks the best solutions, Fernando Alexandre stated that public schools “function well,” and “parents can be reassured.”
“The previous academic year proceeded normally, which represented a stark difference from preceding years. That is a hallmark of this government: we have brought serenity back to schools,” he affirmed.
Regarding the travel subsidy for teachers, Fernando Alexandre confirmed it will be enacted “very soon” by the President of the Republic and will be retroactive to September 1.
“We achieved this in record time at the end of August. It will have retroactive effects, so all teachers stationed more than 70% away from their residence will be entitled to the subsidy. In areas like Greater Lisbon, Setúbal Peninsula, or the Algarve, for teachers arriving from the North, where many qualified teachers are currently unemployed, the support amounts to 500 euros monthly. It is crucial to convey this message, as it will take effect from September 1,” the minister emphasized.
Students begin returning to school from today through Monday
Over a million students begin returning to classrooms today for a school year launching without all teachers and cultural mediators yet hired.
The academic year kicks off by Monday, with many schools already opening their doors today.
The shortage of teachers continues to impact the return to classes, with thousands of students lacking assigned teachers for at least one subject.
The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation indicated that at least 98% of schools will have teachers for all subjects, but around a thousand full-time positions remain unfilled.
The number of students missing teachers for all subjects is yet to be counted. However, Fernando Alexandre assured in an interview on Wednesday that schools’ needs are “significantly lower” than the unappointed teachers.
“Over 20,000 qualified teachers are unemployed,” he said, acknowledging that most reside in the north while the primary needs are in Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve, where housing and travel costs are prohibitive.
The government has opened an extraordinary competition with nearly 1,800 slots to position teachers in the most needed areas, but results will only be available after classes commence.
The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation pledged to value all professionals working in schools in letters sent to directors, teachers, and non-teaching staff to mark the beginning of the school year, as accessed by Lusa.
Lusa | 09:07 – 11/09/2025
