Education Ministry Responds to Teacher Dismissals
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) asserts that the General Directorate of School Administration (DGAE) only annuls the placements of teachers after conducting an "audience with interested parties" when it is discovered that a teacher lacks the necessary professional qualifications. This response comes amid reports of foreign teachers, particularly from Brazil, being barred from teaching despite having their qualifications recognized by Portuguese higher education institutions.
According to a report from the Diário de Notícias, at least eight Brazilian teachers were reportedly removed from their teaching positions after having taught in Portugal for over a year. The reasons for their dismissal range from issues with their qualifications to missing documentation needed for the recognition process.
The DGAE is said to justify its actions based on a 2007 decree concerning the recognition of higher education qualifications for teaching. This decree revoked a 1984 directive that allowed certain foreign qualifications to be recognized under specific conditions.
In response to inquiries, the MECI highlighted that the recognition of professional qualifications follows the same guidelines as the European directive for recognition among EU member states. This means that Brazilian teachers must have their qualifications recognized by the DGAE to work in the educational system.
The MECI also referenced a recent case involving teachers with "false qualifications", emphasizing the importance of rigorous verification of teachers' qualifications by schools and the DGAE. Moreover, they noted that one of the measures in the +Classes +Success plan aims to attract foreign teachers proficient in Portuguese, ensuring compliance with this objective.
A petition with 615 signatures from Brazilian-trained teachers was presented to the Education and Science Committee of the Assembly of the Republic, advocating for the right to teach in Portugal and urging lawmakers to recommend the recognition of their qualifications. The MECI has invited the petitioners for a meeting to discuss these issues further.
Note: The article was corrected to clarify that the term "false qualifications" did not pertain to foreign teachers specifically.
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