The union has issued a statement highlighting the ongoing shortage of teachers, describing a “negative trend throughout this academic year.”
It notes that Fernando Alexandre’s continued leadership at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation provides him with an “in-depth understanding of the institution” and the persistent challenges, notably the teacher shortage.
According to Fenprof, this situation has escalated, undermining the operations of schools and the educational success of thousands of students.
Union data, based on the number of weekly school contracts, indicate an increase in students lacking full teacher staffing compared to the previous academic year.
Despite measures such as overtime and hiring unqualified staff (as provided in the Plan + classes + success), the situation “has worsened,” Fenprof states.
In light of this, and considering predictions by the union of over four thousand retirements by 2025 with the number of new teachers possibly not exceeding a quarter of that, “making the teaching profession attractive must be an absolute priority for the new Government.”
The union argues that elevating the teaching profession is the only way to reverse this trend, emphasizing the need to attract young people to the career and create conditions for the return of those who have left.
“Only possible with concrete measures,” the union considers, citing the example of revising the teaching career statute.
Following the announcement of the new ministerial team, which increased from three to four Secretaries of State with a new portfolio for Higher Education, Fenprof stresses the need to address “the ongoing issues affecting the current career,” including full recognition of service time, elimination of career progress surpasses, and compensation for those unable to recover frozen service time.
The union advocates for a career structure without progression barriers and of shorter duration, “material appreciation” of the teaching career, recognition of professional wear, a “fair” retirement plan, and a formative rather than punitive performance assessment model, in addition to adherence to legal working hour limits.
In its first meeting with the new ministerial team, Fenprof plans to present its proposals for a “serious and effective” negotiation, reaffirming its full readiness and commitment to resolving the real issues facing educators, public schools, science, and higher education.
It will also address “urgent issues” in higher education, such as reviewing the Legal Framework for Higher Education Institutions and academic and research careers, as well as combating job insecurity, particularly in Science and Research areas.
Fenprof pledges to remain vigilant regarding other aspects within the electoral program of AD, particularly the intention to professionalize the director’s role, deepen the process of transferring responsibilities to municipalities, reinvest in “immoral association contracts,” and revise the Basic Law of the Education System.
“All these measures could have an even more negative impact than previously anticipated if the state reform, for which a ministry has been created, follows the script presented by Passos Coelho and Paulo Portas in 2013,” it warns.
