Summary:
33% of preschool costs are borne by Portuguese families
Public spending on preschool is only 67%, 19 points below OECD average
Families spend more on preschool than on university education
Indicates a significant financial burden on families
Portuguese Families Shoulder Heavy Preschool Costs
Portuguese families are responsible for 33% of the costs associated with preschool education, despite the service being advertised as free. This staggering figure is the highest among countries that provided data on this topic, as highlighted in the OECD's report Education at a Glance 2024, released on Tuesday.
The report reveals that public expenditure on preschool education stands at only 67%, which is 19 points below the OECD average. Consequently, families end up spending more on preschool than on university education, indicating a significant financial burden.
This situation raises concerns regarding the accessibility and affordability of early childhood education in Portugal, as the cost per student remains below the average for OECD countries.
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