During a visit to the D. Maria II school in Braga, Rui Rocha, a former student who attended from the 7th to the 11th grade, addressed questions regarding his stance on the removal of “ideological content” from citizenship education, a demand echoed by PSD, CDS, and Chega.
Rocha, the leader of Iniciativa Liberal (IL), expressed his belief that ideology should not infiltrate educational programs, noting it has appeared in some aspects previously. “It seems obvious to me that ideology should not be present in educational programs,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of fostering opportunities and teaching freedom of thought to students rather than indoctrinating them.
When asked if the current educational system fulfills its role or if it leans towards indoctrination, Rocha remarked that there is room for improvement. He argued against the inclusion of indoctrinatory content in educational materials, advocating instead for a focus on areas pivotal for preparing youth for the future.
Rocha pinpointed the necessity for schools to enhance “financial literacy” and “digital literacy” programs, given the impending era of artificial intelligence and digitalization. “The major change we would implement at this point, besides providing resources like teachers and facilities, is revising these areas,” he stated.
Pressed to cite examples of perceived indoctrination, Rocha pointed to certain “views of History.” He criticized existing educational programs for often providing a politically biased perspective of Portuguese history. “Historical facts should be narrated with as much impartiality as possible,” he suggested, to enable students to form critical opinions.
Rocha’s comments followed a visit to his former school, accompanied by his ex-science teacher Lucinda Aguiar, who fondly remembered him as a top student. “He was such a well-behaved student that it sometimes annoyed others,” Aguiar recalled.
During the hour-long tour, Rocha noted numerous changes at the school, reminiscing about how he would jump the fence when late for class. Concluding the visit, the IL leader praised it as a “good public school” but highlighted a prevalent issue in Portugal—disparities in educational quality based on postal codes. “Our proposal is that opportunities for young people shouldn’t be determined by their postal code,” he asserted, advocating for student choice in schooling.
“It is clear that the state should invest in education, in good schools, and in competitive careers. However, I believe the freedom of choice is also essential. It is crucial for everyone to have access to opportunities,” Rocha emphasized.
