Primary Education in Portugal

National Provision of Primary Education :

83% of primary aged pupils attend state schools.

Two types of private schools exist -

i. Private schools with state subsidies, (contrato de associaçao) which may not charge fees. Mainly schools of religious denominations.

ii. Private schools with part subsidy, part fees.

1997	Pre-primary	Primary
Pupils 1st and 2nd cycle	200,490	819,271
Teachers	7,595
Schools	5,709	11,425

Approximate teacher : pupil ratio = 1:16.

Age Ranges :

Compulsory education from 6 to 15 years old, (Ensino Básico).

Age	Type	Basis
Below 6	Pre-school. Day centres Nursery Classes - Jardins de Infancia.	Voluntary. Fees. Social services or private. Voluntary. Free. Most attached to primary school.
6 to 12	Primary school or primary level in main school.	Compulsory. Free. Primary grades 1 to 6.
12	Secondary.	Compulsory. Free.

School Times :

Schools open -

i. Monday to Friday - 09.00 to 16.00; 2h midday break.

ii. 2 shift system - a. Monday to Friday - 06.00 to 13.00.

b. Monday to Friday - 13.15 to 18.15.

Pre-School Education :

Pre-school, (Educaçao Pré-escolar) is optional from 3 years old.

Day centres are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Welfare or private. Fees are generally charged.

Public sector, (Jardins de Infancia) are free.

Specific objectives have been defined in the Education Act for pre-schools, (Lei de Bases do Sistema Educativo - 1986).

Primary School Organisation :

The state sets targets for attainment and subject lists. Ministry of Education also issues a standard timetable for schools, but this is not compulsory. Education programmes set by the Ministry are flexible and schools may integrate elements of a regional character.

The six years of primary-level education are divided into two cycles :-

1. Primary education - 6 to 10 years old. Grades 1 to 4.

(1° Ciclo - Ensino Primário).

ii. Preparatory education - 10 to 12 years old. Grades 5 and 6.

(2° Ciclo - Ensino Preparatório).

[The third cycle - Curso Geral Unificado - covers the secondary level age-range - Grades 7 to 9. Further-grades, for 15 to 18 year olds are called - Ensino Secundário].

Primary School Curriculum :

There is a national curriculum, (last major review - 1990 Decree).

Guidelines are also issued - but are largely optional.

1st Cycle : Arts; Portuguese; Mathematics; Personal and social education; Religious education; Sports; some preparatory lessons for learning a foreign language.

2nd Cycle : Language and Social studies; Portuguese; History and geography of Portugal; Foreign language, (mainly French or English); Science and Nature; Mathematics; Natural studies; Arts and Technology; Music; Physical Education; Personal and Social Education; Moral and Religious Education.

Other htmlects :

3 years teacher training for pre-school and first phase of primary school. 2 years training for second phase.

European clubs as after-school activities are popular in many schools.

Further Guides :

Reforma Curricular - Ensino Basico

30pp - Ministério Da Educaçao - 1994.

Structures of Education.... Portugal 1999

Eurydice - 2000.

Official Addresses :

Agência Nacional para os Programas Comunitários - Sócrates e Leonardo da Vinci
Avenida D. João II, Lote 1.07.2.1, Edificio Administrativo da Parque Expo - Piso - Ala B, P-1990-096 Lisboa

E-mail :

Departamento da Educaçao Básica.

Av. 24 de Julho 140, P-1391 Lisboa - Codex.

Ministerio da Educaçao.

Av. 5 de Outubro 107, P-1051 Lisboa 1 - Codex.

Unidade de Eurydice.

Ministerio da Educaçao, DAPP, Av. 24 de Julho 134, 1350 Lisboa.