Education System

There are many private and co-operative schools teaching the Portuguese national curriculum. There are others teaching in foreign languages, following international curricular. Few of these international schools go up to secondary level.

All private schools charge fees and should be registered with the Ministry of Education.

The recognition of an international curriculum by the Portuguese education system is not automatic and this should be taken into account when selecting which curriculum to follow.

Additional support for fees, school meals and books.

School students from families with limited incomes (generally families with less than the national minimum wage per family member) may also be eligible for free meals, school books and extra curricular activities.

Secondary students may also obtain assistance with accommodation and fees. There is a special system of subsidised public transport for school students.

Further information is available from schools or the education department of the local municipal council.

Professional and technical qualifications are usually accredited to EU recognised levels. However, professional requirements do vary from country to country, and there is still no guarantee that qualifications from one EU country will be recognised in another.

In principle, the certificate of general education provides for access to further education courses in other EU countries. However, all institutions have their own entrance requirements, especially in relation to language qualifications.

Before starting a course, it is advisable to check whether the qualification will give access to the required profession or subsidised higher-level institution.

All residents of compulsory school age should attend school. Residents also have access to secondary schooling and higher education. Registration with pre-schools normally occurs during June and July at the school. They usually require a medical check, birth certificate, health card and inscription form.

First time registration in primary schools takes place early in June at the school nearest the place of residence or nearest the place of work of the parent. Renewal of school registration usually takes place at the end of the previous year, at a time set by the school. First time registration for secondary schools normally takes place at the primary school, and before 15 July. Re-registration in secondary schools depends on exams, and takes place immediately after the results are published. Late registrations are submitted to the management of the school. Children coming from outside Portugal may register at any time, providing there are spaces in the school.

The documents required for school registration usually include the inscription form, proof of qualifications from the previous school, health card, photographs, and identification.

Jardims de Infância will take children from 3 years old (sometimes younger) to 6 years. Run by professional teachers and are often combined with a day centre for the elderly and sometimes a kitchen for meals on wheels. Normally closing at 3.30pm they often provide after school activities until 6pm.

Primary education (Ensino Básico) is compulsory (although there are something like 15% non attendants). Ensino Básico is split into 3 phases: 6-9, 10-11, and 13-15. Children aged 6 on or before the 15 of September must be enrolled for their first year at school during the annual enrolment period. The school year starts in mid September and finishes in mid June.

For the fist stage, students aged 6-9 are taught by the same teacher for all subjects, then different teachers for different subjects for the 2nd and 3rd stages. The principal subjects for the 6-9 year olds include mathematics, Portuguese, the environment, personal and social development, and religious education. The children are given a heavy workload of homework with particular emphasis on Portuguese handwriting which is more elaborate than our own.

During the 2nd stage the students are introduced to English, social science, art and technology. PE at best is a once a week activity and can be swimming (if there are the facilities), football for the boys, and basketball for the girls.

The 3rd stage is a continuation with the option of a second foreign language. The students are constantly assessed and need a high percentage of attendance to complete the year, if students show poor performance in more than three subjects, particularly mathematics and Portuguese, they may be held back a year.

Between the ages of 15 to 18 students can either go to Ensino Secundário or Ensino Profissional.