An Ethics and Religion Education teacher, sentenced to eight years in prison for 62 counts of sexual abuse of minors, was assigned to a school and is currently not teaching due to being on leave, it has been reported.
When questioned about this development, the Minister of Education, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the inauguration of two new Specialized Technological Centers at the Tomaz Pelayo School Group in Santo Tirso, Porto district, reiterated that he dismisses several teachers or non-teaching staff every year for such issues. He emphasized that schools have a responsibility to ensure there is no contact with students.
“Even if he returned to the school with the right to do so, he would have no contact with the students. These situations arise, and I repeat, we have a very large community, and unfortunately, we encounter these scenarios. These individuals are identified, and every school director knows that a person in this situation cannot have contact with children,” stated Fernando Alexandre.
“It is indeed the school’s responsibility. The decentralization process also involved significant accountability. Those on the ground must possess more skills and take on more responsibility,” he added.
PFT // FPA
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