Portugal's Ministry of Education adopts union proposals on teacher recruitment and school director selection

The Portuguese Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation accepted the majority of proposals presented by the Independent Union of Teachers and Educators (SIPE). Key advances include counting professionalisation time toward career progression and guaranteeing that school directors will remain teachers elected by their peers. The changes modify Decree‑Laws No. 51/2024, 108/2025 and 80‑A/2023, which govern recruitment, teaching qualifications and service regimes. SIPE President Júlia Azevedo welcomed the outcome, noting that the two core demands – teacher‑directors and peer election – were secured. The ministry also outlined principles for revising school autonomy and management, with a future Statute of the Director forthcoming. SIPE will submit further contributions by week’s end, and a new negotiation round is scheduled for early August.

The reforms aim to strengthen fairness in teacher careers and enhance democratic governance of schools across Portugal.