Over two hours, lawmakers presented and debated 19 proposals targeting students, teachers, and also technical and operational assistants, addressing the issues plaguing schools while assigning blame alternately to PS-led governments and the PSD/CDS-PP coalition.
In the debate initiated by the PS, Socialist Deputy Porfírio Silva recalled the stance of the current government’s parties when they were in opposition, noting they believed “everything was easy and quick to solve”.
“But after a year and a half with Fernando Alexandre, apart from the skill to soften headlines, what is truly new in the schools’ reality? What has genuinely improved in learning?” he questioned.
Silva referenced the recent restructuring of the Ministry’s services, expressing concern that “slicing up the National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education” suggests that “adult education may once again fall victim to the detrimental disinterest of the right”.
Silva reiterated multiple times that the PS will not shy away from “scrutinizing the Government”, branding themselves “an opposition of proposals”.
Today, he introduced a bill to “improve the management model” of public schools, along with a study request on the Student Statute and School Ethics, and five resolutions aiming to make careers more attractive, such as those for educational and science inspectors.
In a query session, PSD Deputy Ana Gabriela Cabilhas stated that “the PS really needs help because it has no grasp of reality”, asserting that the socialists failed to solve issues during their time in government.
Cabilhas accused the socialists of not resolving the number of students without classes, reducing bureaucratic burdens, or “shutting school doors to ideological dogmas”.
Paulo Núncio, of CDS-PP, argued that “regarding education, the PS has nothing to teach”, accusing the party of wanting to “prevent parents from exercising the most basic rights regarding their children’s education” and of seeking to “punish families resisting school indoctrination”.
A notable controversy under the socialist government involved a family in Famalicão barring their children from attending Citizenship and Development classes, citing conscientious objection over topics like sexual education, which they believe parents should manage.
Another divisive issue between right and left was private school funding, revisited today. The Liberal Initiative (IL) proposed updating the funding for private education under association contracts, which was not discussed. “Ignorance invaded the assembly,” claimed liberal deputy Angelique da Teresa.
“The left-wing deputies see schools as business operations, ignoring their decades-old stagnant values and their role in accommodating disabled children. (…) These remarks were disgraceful, showcasing the left’s disarray,” she accused.
The CDS-PP reaffirmed its support for investment in private and cooperative education, acknowledging that “for the left, they neither exist nor hold any value”, restating that “CDS has stood by them for 50 years” and will continue to do so.
Chega proposed two resolutions: one for “restoring justice and equity in the teaching career” and another to regularize precarious employment for specialized technicians.
“It would be political hypocrisy to vote against our resolutions. There should be consistency between debate and voting,” said Chega Deputy Maria José Aguiar, prior to the vote that rejected the technicians’ proposal, due to the PSD and CDS-PP’s opposition and the PS, IL, Livre, and PCP abstaining.
PAN sought equal parental educational rights in divorce cases: “Both parents should have this right”, argued Deputy Inês Sousa Real. However, the bill was defeated with votes from PSD, CDS-PP, Chega, IL, and PCP against it.
PCP introduced a proposal for democratic management of public schools and another for enhancing public school workers’ value.
“One of the attacks on public schools is the attack on the workers,” stated communist Paula Santos, advocating for reinforced public school investment, career value, and tackling insecurity and professional burnout. Nevertheless, the proposal was rejected by votes from PSD, CDS-PP, Chega, PS, and IL.
