Lisbon Schools to Gain Essential Operational Assistants After Parent Advocacy

Increased Support for D. Filipa de Lencastre Schools

The D. Filipa de Lencastre school grouping in Lisbon is set to receive an increase in operational assistants. By the end of this year, one new staff member will be appointed, with two more joining in early 2025. If necessary, an additional assistant may be added next year following further assessment.

This decision comes after a group of parents published an open letter to the local government and the Ministry of Education, demanding better staffing and improved working conditions for non-teaching staff.

As reported by Observador, a group of 300 parents has expressed their concerns, particularly in light of several school closures due to ongoing strikes, mainly by non-teaching personnel.

Parent Advocacy and Government Response

The parents sought clarification on the number of non-teaching staff employed and whether it met the school's needs. In response, meetings were organized swiftly between the parents and local authorities.

On November 19, parents met with the Areeiro Parish Council, and on November 25, they engaged with the Lisbon City Council. These discussions led to three commitments:

• The Areeiro Parish will add two operational assistants starting in early 2025.
• The Lisbon City Council will assign one assistant to start before the end of 2024, with the potential for an additional hire in 2025 if deemed necessary.
• The City Council will monitor the number of students with Special Health Needs to assess the need for additional support.

Ongoing Concerns and Future Actions

Parents also criticized the lack of communication from the Ministry of Education, which oversees staff salaries and career reviews. However, the Minister has indicated plans to improve salaries for these workers, with funds allocated based on geographic area and student numbers.

The parent group, referring to themselves as "Estudar, tem dias", also highlighted that further strikes are anticipated, creating significant stress within the school community, particularly for the nearly 2,000 students enrolled.

The D. Filipa de Lencastre grouping is not alone in its staffing issues, as the Gil Vicente grouping has also raised similar concerns. However, practical results from these advocacy efforts are still forthcoming.