Former Education Minister João Costa Challenges Government's Teacher Shortage Claims

João Costa's Controversial Statements

Former Education Minister João Costa has publicly challenged the current government's figures regarding the number of students without teachers, claiming that these numbers are being inflated. During a parliamentary hearing, he stated, "These figures do not correspond to the truth."

The Government's Claims

The Ministry of Education has reported that as of September 2023, there are 324,228 students without a teacher for at least one subject. Costa disputed this claim, expressing concern that the number might be exaggerated to later present a successful resolution based on a falsely inflated figure.

Historical Comparison

Costa referenced reports from the General Directorate of School Establishments (Dgeste), indicating that during the same period last year, the number of students without all teachers was 72,894. He noted a 30 to 40% increase in the current figures, emphasizing the need for accurate numbers rather than misleading statistics.

Future Projections

For the government to meet its goal of reducing the number of students without teachers by 90%, the number should drop to just 1,500 by the end of the first term, assuming last year's figure was indeed 15,000 students. Costa warned that the start of the school year often sees an increase in medical leaves, which could exacerbate the teacher shortage.

Recruitment Challenges

Discussing recent teacher recruitment competitions, Costa defended his previous actions, stating that the number of vacancies was based on a realistic assessment of school needs, including future retirements and the demand for additional support for students.

Frustrations with Higher Education Institutions

Costa expressed disappointment with higher education institutions, which he felt were not adequately responding to the need for more teacher training programs. He called for increased funding to enable these institutions to produce more qualified teachers, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing the education system’s needs.

Conclusion

As the third recruitment reserve approaches on October 16, the focus remains on whether the government can effectively address the teacher shortages that have plagued the education system in Portugal.