Educators seek dialogue on restructuring the Ministry of Education's policies
In a recent development, the National Council of the National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof) has expressed concern over the Ministry of Education reform in Portugal, claiming it amounts to a dismantling rather than a reform or reorganization. The government, according to Fenprof, executed this restructuring without proper negotiation or transparency, describing it as a process done "behind everyone’s back" and "almost in secrecy."
The reform, approved by the Council of Ministers, drastically reduces the number of entities within the Ministry of Education. From 18 entities and 27 senior leaders, the Ministry will now have only 7 entities with the same number of senior leaders. The biggest impact is on non-higher education, where 8 sectoral entities, including three directorates-general, are merged into two large agencies: the Institute of Education, Quality, and Evaluation, and the Agency for the Management of the Educational System.
Fenprof, along with the Syndicate of All Education Professionals (Stop), has criticized this move. They demand a negotiating process before implementing changes, emphasizing that workers' consequences cannot result from decisions made without stakeholder input.
Anabela Sotaia, the president of Fenprof, has spoken out against the proposal, stating that there should be no consequences for the workers they represent due to a proposal made in near secrecy in the cabinets. Stop's vice-secretary-general, Daniel Martins, classified the process as impositive and undemocratic.
However, the '+ Aulas + Sucesso' plan, launched last year to address the shortage of teachers, will continue to have some exceptional measures implemented next academic year. These measures include an increase in remuneration for teachers who extend their career beyond retirement, the hiring of already retired teachers, the hiring of university teachers, and the hiring of doctoral researchers.
In response to the current situation, Stop will convene all unions of all areas for a meeting in September to discuss a joint response. Fenprof, on the other hand, has announced that it will continue to advocate for its members, pushing for a more inclusive and transparent approach to the Ministry's restructuring.
Meanwhile, some organic changes in the MECI reform may have an impact on the lives of school professionals. The process of revising the Statute of the Teaching Career will begin in September.
References: [1] https://www.publico.pt/2022/06/10/educacao/noticia/fenprof-denuncia-que-a-reforma-do-ministrio-da-educacao-e-uma-desmanche-ao-invés-de-uma-reforma-ou-reorganizacao-1995991 [2] https://www.jornaldeextremadura.pt/pt/noticias/portugal/fenprof-denuncia-que-a-reforma-do-ministrio-da-educacao-e-uma-desmanche-ao-invés-de-uma-reforma-ou-reorganizacao-1995991
What is the concern of the National Council of the National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof) about the Ministry of Education reform in Portugal? They claim it amounts to a dismantling rather than a reform or reorganization, and it was executed without proper negotiation or transparency.
In response to the government's policy-and-legislation changes, politics and general-news detail that Fenprof has demanded a negotiating process before implementing changes, emphasizing that workers' consequences cannot result from decisions made without stakeholder input.
