Summary:
PSD party shifts stance, now supports removal of ideological content from Citizenship education.
Initial rejection of proposals from Chega, BE, CDS-PP, and PAN leads to renewed debate.
Luís Montenegro prioritizes review of Citizenship curriculum, aims to enhance constitutional values.
Minister of Education confirms Citizenship subject will remain but will undergo significant changes.
Calls for mandatory animal welfare education and children's sexual self-defense rights emerge.
Political Shifts in Citizenship Education
In a surprising turn of events, the PSD party, which initially abstained from voting on the CDS-PP project, ultimately voted in favor of a resolution aimed at revising and removing ideological content from the Citizenship curriculum. This decision puts pressure on the government, which has already indicated it will undertake revisions.
The four proposed laws and resolutions from Chega, Bloco de Esquerda (BE), CDS-PP, and PAN were initially rejected in Parliament. However, the PSD's change of heart allowed for the approval of the resolution, which seeks to eliminate what some parties describe as 'ideological projects' from the Citizenship and Development curriculum.
Diverse Perspectives on Curriculum Content
Right-wing parties have expressed a desire to eliminate ideological influences from the curriculum, while the BE advocates for teaching children to defend their bodies. The PAN emphasized the importance of including animal welfare as mandatory content.
This debate resurfaced during the PSD's congress in October 2024, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro prioritizing the review of the Citizenship curriculum, promising to enhance the teaching of constitutional values and eliminate elements he perceives as 'ideological or factional projects.'
Ongoing Revisions and Parental Rights
Fernando Alexandre, the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, confirmed that while the Citizenship and Development subject will remain, it will undergo changes to address non-consensual topics that have caused discomfort among families. This revision is part of a broader review of educational content across all subjects, with expert evaluations expected to conclude by April or May.
During the discussions, Rita Matias from Chega criticized previous governments for initiating what she called an 'ideological assault' with the introduction of the Citizenship and Development subject in 2017.
Legislative Proposals and Parental Control
The CDS-PP proposed creating a legal framework for the Citizenship and Development subject, aiming to make student participation optional, despite mandatory offerings from schools. Paulo Núncio emphasized that education is a parental right, rejecting any form of ideological programming in the curriculum.
Advocating for Children's Rights and Well-being
The BE's Joana Mortágua highlighted the necessity for children to learn about sexual self-defense, arguing that access to sexual education is essential. Meanwhile, Inês de Sousa Real from PAN called for mandatory inclusion of animal welfare in the curriculum, linking it to broader societal violence.
The discussion continues to evolve, with concerns about the ideological direction of education in Portugal and the role of schools in shaping children's understanding of societal values, rights, and responsibilities.
Updated news as of February 14, 2025, reflecting the PSD's change in voting stance.
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