# Portuguese education sector recruitment and policy changes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/portuguese-education-sector-recruitment-and-policy-changes > Updated: 2026-09-12T00:30:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 5. Following the approval of a continuous recruitment model on September 9, schools in Portugal are set to begin hiring educators on a daily basis starting September 18. This measure is intended to accelerate replacements for staff absences due to illness or retirement. Disputes persist regarding the impact of recent government actions on staffing levels. During the national school year opening ceremony in Setúbal, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro claimed that fewer students are without teachers this year, noting that approximately 9,200 teachers have joined the permanent teaching career, including 3,000 placed in high-pressure areas. He attributed these improvements to enhanced training, salary incentives, and housing support. However, the union Fenprof has disputed these figures. Secretary-general José Feliciano Costa argued that while roughly 7,000 teachers joined the career over the last two years, most were already active within the education system, suggesting no net increase in staffing. Costa cited specific local shortages, such as the Queluz-Belas school grouping, where 19 out of more than 40 first-cycle classes reportedly remain without a teacher. Additionally, the government’s plan to pilot the merger of the first and second cycles of basic education for the 2027/2028 school year remains a point of contention. While the National Association of School Directors (ANDAEP) and the National Teachers Association see potential for better staff distribution, they have requested clarification on operational implementation. Conversely, unions Fenprof and FNE maintain that the merger may “mask the ongoing teacher shortage.” ## Claims - The new teacher recruitment model will drastically reduce the time students spend without classes. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Council of Ministers approved a new teacher recruitment model. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Schools can begin hiring teachers on a daily basis starting September 18. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The new model applies to schools ranging from pre-school to secondary education. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Basic education classes are scheduled to begin on September 11. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Secondary education classes are scheduled to begin on September 21. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The new model applies to schools from pre-school to secondary education. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Basic education classes officially start on September 11. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Secondary education classes start on September 21. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: Luís Montenegro claims improved teacher staffing in Portugal Prime Minister Luís Montenegro claims teacher shortages in Portugal are improving, but the Fenprof union disputes the figures, stating most new hires were already working in the education system. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lus-montenegro-claims-improved-teacher-staffing-in-portugal ### 2026-09-09: Portugal implements daily teacher hiring and education reforms Portugal is implementing daily teacher recruitment to combat shortages and planning a pilot merger of the first and second education cycles, despite opposition from teacher unions. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-approves-daily-teacher-recruitment-model ### 2026-09-07: Portugal education sector faces teacher shortages and recruitment delays Portugal faces teacher shortages and recruitment delays ahead of the new school year, while PISA 2025 data shows a significant decline in student performance in Mathematics and Reading. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-faces-over-2000-unfilled-teaching-hours-in-schools ### 2026-09-03: Portugal implements new teacher salary and recruitment rules Portugal is implementing new education rules linking teacher salaries to lesson summary registration and introducing incentives to hire retired staff and graduates to combat teacher shortages. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-implements-new-teacher-salary-and-recruitment-rules ### 2026-08-28: Portugal hires 216 teachers for new school year The hiring of 216 teachers across 22 recruitment groups and 62 establishments has been confirmed to secure the upcoming academic year. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-hires-216-teachers-for-new-school-year --- Cite as: Portuguese education sector recruitment and policy changes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/portuguese-education-sector-recruitment-and-policy-changes