1. PORTUGUESE EDUCATION
SYSTEM
• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
• Public schools are financed by the
Government.
• Some private schools are supported by
the Government where there is shortage
of offer

2. LEVELS OF EDUCATION
• Pre-school - Is not compulsory and is free
Age: 3 to 6 years old
• Classes up to 25 children
• 25 hours a week
• 1 preschool teacher per class
• There are national curricular guidelines
• Descriptive evaluation.
• There are family support services – Is not free
• Lunch at school costs 1,40 €
But if the students are from families with low
incomes, don’t pay or pay half (0,73€)

3. PRIMARY SCHOOL
First cycle of basic education
4 years (1st,2nd,3rd,4th forms)
• Public –Free and compulsory
• Ages: 6 to 10 years old.
• Classes up to 24 students.
• 25 hours a week
• 1 teacher per class.
• Curriculum and National Programs (Portuguese Language,
Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Artistic Expression,
Music, Drama, Physical Education and Speech-Motor, Project,
Supported Study, Civics)
• Descriptive evaluation.
• Curricular Enrichment Activities (extra-activities)- English,
Music, Physical Education and Sport, and others) . Is not
compulsory and is free
• Lunch at school costs 1,40 €
But if the students are from families with low incomes, don’t pay
or pay half (0,73€)

4. Second cycle of basic education
2 years ( 5th and 6th forms)
• Public –Free and compulsory
• Ages: 10 to 12 years old.
• Classes up to 28 students
• 16 lessons of 90 minutes a week
• Many teachers for the same class
• Curriculum and National Programs (Portuguese Language,
Mathematics, History and Geography of Portugal, Science,1
Foreign Languages (English or French), Visual and Technological
Education, Musical Education, Physical Education, Project,
Supported Study, Civics, Religious and Moral Education (
optional))
• Evaluation from level 1 to 5
• Curricular Enrichment Activities - Sports and Cultural Clubs
• Lunch at school costs 1,40 €
But if the students are from families with low incomes, don’t pay
or pay half (0,73€)

5. Third cycle of basic education
3 years( 7th ,8th ,9th Forms)
• Public
• Ages: 12 to 15 years old
• Classes up to 28 students
• 17 lesson of 90 minutes a week
• Many teachers for the same class
• Curriculum and National Programs (Portuguese Language,
Mathematics, History, Geography, Natural Sciences,2 Foreign
Languages I and II(English and French), Visual Education,
Technological Education (a subject offered by the School),
Information and Communication (9th Form), Physical Education,
Project, Supported Study, Civics, Religious and Moral Education
(optional))
• Evaluation from level 1 to 5
• Curricular Enrichment Activities – Sports and Cultural Clubs
• Lunch at school costs 1,40 €
But if the students are from families with low incomes, don’t pay or
pay half (0,73€)

6. Secondary Education
3 years
( 10th,11thand12th forms the last year before the
University)
• Public - Unpaid
• Ages: 15 to 18 years old
• Classes up to 28 students
• 18 lessons of 90 minutes a week
• Many teachers for the same class
• National Curriculum and Programs
• Common Component (Portuguese Language, Foreign Language,
Philosophy and Physical Education)
• Specific Component
• Religious and Moral Education (optional)

7. Secondary Education
3 years
( 10th,11thand12th forms the last year before the
University)
• Courses:
• Scientific-Technological
• Technology
• Specialized Artistic
• Professional
• Evaluation from level 1 to 20
• Curricular Enrichment Activities – Sports and Cultural Clubs
• Lunch at school costs 1,40 €
But if the students are from families with low incomes, don’t pay
or pay half (0,73€)

8. EXAMS AND TESTS
• Assessment Tests of Portuguese Language
and Mathematics for 4th and 6th Forms.
• Exams of Portuguese Language and
Mathematics for 9th Form
• National Exams of Portuguese Language
and Specific school subjects of Secondary
Education

9. UNIVERSITY
• We have well-know universities in the
area:
• Engineering-Instituto Superior
Técnico(Lisboa) and Oporto;
• Medicine- Faculdade de Medicina de
Coimbra-To enter the Medical
School,students must have between 18
and 20 in the final evaluation and
exames results.

10. NATIONAL PROJECTS
• Mathematics Action Plan
• Technological Plan
• National Reading Plan
• Portuguese Action Plan

11. STUDENTS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS
• Integrated into regular classes – up to 20 students
• Specialized Units in some schools (concentration of
students from various places):
• Deafness
• Blindness
• Autism
• Multiple disabilities
• Special schools for the most serious cases
• Resource Centers:
• Inclusion (material and human resources)
• ICT (technological resources)

12. SCHOOL CALENDAR
• School year between September 1 and August 31 :
• The teachers begin on 1st September;
• The students begin on second week of September.
• Activities during 180 days set by the Ministry of Education
• Interruptions:
• Christmas - 2 weeks
• Carnival - 3 days
• Easter - 2 weeks
• Summer Holidays - July and August

13. TEACHERS
• Must have a professional degree(Bachelor or
Master Degree)
• School Boards
• National placing
• School hiring for transitional needs
• 10 placements in the professional career
• Compulsory continuing updating for reaching the
next placement in the career
• Performance Assessment each cycle of two years

14. THANKS FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!
