Schools in Portugal face a serious problem this year. Thousands of students still do not have teachers for certain subjects. Around 23,000 students have missed classes in at least one subject since Since the beginning of the school year. This shortage is not new but it shows the need for more effective solutions. The Ministry of Education recently added 3,344 teachers to the system. But many students still wait to attend classes in all their subjects.

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The More Classes, More Success Plan

The Minister of Education Fernando Alexandre introduced a plan called “More Classes, More Success.” to address this issue. This plan includes 17 measures to get more teachers into classrooms.

According to the Minister, the plan has helped somewhat. It brought back 557 former teachers who had left the profession. Additionally, around 7,000 students now have teachers due to those who agreed to work extra hours. Still, many students are waiting for a teacher in at least one subject.

Minister said:

We cannot live with thousands of students without classes

One strategy in the plan is to let teachers work extra hours if they want. Many teachers agreed which helps fill some gaps. However, this is only a temporary solution. The Ministry of Education understands that relying on extra hours is not enough. For lasting change, they need more strategies to attract and retain teachers in schools.

He added:

There are also seven thousand more students with classes, thanks to teachers who agreed to extend their hours

The Impact on Students

The lack of teachers harms students in many ways. Students fall behind in important subjects when they miss classes. They may lose time in learning math, science, or language arts, making it hard to catch up later. This can affect not only their grades but also their interest in school. Without regular classes, many students feel stressed and so do their parents and teachers.

The lack of teachers is even worse in rural and remote areas. Schools in these areas often find it harder to hire teachers. As a result, students in these locations suffer more, facing more frequent gaps in their education.

Reasons For The Teacher Shortage

One major reason for this shortage is that fewer people want to become teachers in Portugal. Over time, teaching has become a less popular career choice. Many qualified people avoid teaching because of low pay, heavy workloads, and few chances for advancement.

The More Classes, More Success plan tries to address some of these problems by improving conditions for teachers. But experts say these changes may not be enough.

A long term solution will involve raising teacher pay and offering better benefits. If teachers earn more then teaching can become a more attractive career for young people. Offering career development options for teachers might also help. If teachers can grow and advance in their careers then they will stay in the profession longer.

The plan also includes changes to the curriculum which should be fully updated by starting of next school year. Minister Alexandre says these changes will make learning more engaging for students and teachers.

He stresses that education policies should be consistent. Frequent changes can create uncertainty and make it harder for teachers to feel secure in their roles.

Possible Solutions For The Future

The government’s focus on solving the teacher shortage shows it understands the problem. But the road ahead is not simple. It is crucial to understand why so many teachers are leaving besides hiring more teachers. Policies that support teachers well-being, offer fair pay, and reduce stress can help teachers feel more valued and willing to stay.

The shortage is especially challenging in remote areas where attracting teachers is more difficult. Offering financial bonuses or other incentives can encourage teachers to work in these regions.

This approach can reduce the gap between urban and rural schools if successful. This way all students can have the chance for a quality education.

Minister Alexandre More Classes, More Success plan is an important step. It will take time to see if these measures truly work. To succeed, the plan needs support and additional ideas to make teaching a respected and rewarding career. Only then can Portugal ensure that every student has the teachers they need.