OECD Reviews of School Resources: Portugal 2018
This country review offers an independent analysis of major issues facing the use of school resources in Portugal from an international perspective. It provides a description of national policies, an analysis of strengths and challenges and options for possible future approaches. The analysis focuses on the process of decentralisation of school governance, the integration of local, national and international funding streams in educational financing, and the development of the teaching profession. The report covers primary and secondary school education.
The organisation of the school network
This chapter examines how the Portuguese school system is managed, and the school opportunities available to students from a variety of backgrounds. In particular it attempts to address the question of whether the system is currently structured to promote the success of all students, including those for whom traditional schooling structures have been ineffective. Portugal has made considerable advances in designing a well-organised school network over the past 15 years, including consolidating many under-resourced schools, investing in some of its school buildings and expanding access for students with special education needs. However, important challenges remain related to shifting demographics, many deteriorating buildings and substantial regional- and school-level inequalities. The chapter makes a number of recommendations to address these challenges, particularly as it relates to the governance of schools.