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‘I was excited, but then I realized it wasn’t’: Schools organize trips that students in need don’t participate in

Several public schools organize study trips abroad every year, leaving students unable to pay for trips that can cost anywhere from 500 to 800 euros, according to parent and student reports.

There are trips for secondary school students as well as for 3rd cycle finalists. Some go to Paris, others to Madrid or London. Prices are around 500 euros, but can be as high as 800 euros, according to stories that happened in educational institutions in Coimbra, Lisbon, Azeitao or Castaneira do Ribatejo.

Parents across the country unanimously criticize schools for not taking into account those who do not have money to pay for a trip, as Teresa Costa (not her real name) did.

A student at a school in Lisbon attended mostly by high school students, Teresa was one of the few to receive School Social Assistance (ASE) and never thought that her parents’ difficult financial situation could exclude her from school activities.

“When the French teacher announced in the class about the trip to Paris, the idea arose that we would all go for a year.

The trip cost about 500 euros and “nobody bothered” from the school’s side and tried to find out “whether Teresa wants to go and if a way can be found to pay for the trip”.

“I was very sad, because when we are 14 years old, we cannot understand that 500 euros can be a lot of money,” recalled the girl, who begged her family to pay for her trip.

During this week of classes, Teresa went to high school every day, while her classmates visited museums and got to know the Parisian quarters.

According to the president of the National Association of Group and Public School Principals (ANDAEP), “no one can be left out” of a school-sponsored trip that is different from those of 12th grade finalists.

“Even if they look like walks, these are activities outside of school and students are not allowed to stay on dry land due to economic incapacity. These situations, which I hope are isolated cases, should be corrected. The school is obliged to include and exclude,” criticized Filinto Lima.

That’s exactly what António Silva thought when teachers at Infanta Dona Maria’s high school, where his daughter is studying, admitted they wouldn’t worry about those who couldn’t afford the trip.

In a written document delivered to the families, they stated: “As for the situation of students/families who cannot pay for a study trip, we, the organizing teachers, do not have to decide this issue.”

“This study tour is not a mandatory activity, so only interested students and/or those who may take part in the study trip should register,” information that Lusa had access to is also mentioned.

In the 11th grade of Antonio Silva’s daughter, there was a student who was about to be expelled, but a group of parents, including Antonio, decided to pay for the trip.

“The tour is not required but recommended, and it shocks me that the teacher says that only those who can go. For me, it’s not the role of the school and they shouldn’t create expectations without knowing whether families may or may not go,” he said.

António Silva also condemned the method used by the French teacher at the Coimbra school who announced the trip during the lesson in the 1st period.

“The teacher talked to the students before talking to the parents about the seven-day trip, which will cost around 600 euros, and in the end could exceed 800 euros, because it all depends on how many students go,” he said.

Marta Clemente also criticized the methodology used at her daughters’ school in Castaneira do Ribatejo, which was similar to that reported by António Silva.

Marta was working when her 13-year-old daughter called her “hysterical about going out with friends” to Paris during a five-day trip organized by the school, she told Lusa.

The plan was also announced during classes and “the more students, the less you pay”, but in the end they “will pay the maximum amount”: this is 595 euros for a bus trip in which “they stay in France for a few days”, and it is always “running from one place to another and with little food”.

Rita’s mother considers the trip expensive, but admits that she is more shocked that there are her daughter’s colleagues “who do not go for financial reasons”: from the parents’ association, ”he criticized.

The visit included climbing the Eiffel Tower, a tour of the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, as well as a boat ride on the Seine, exploring typical neighborhoods like Montmartre, and even spending a full day at Disneyland.

In Azeitão, history repeats itself, only the destination changes: Cycle 3 students are already on a five-day trip to Madrid and Toledo, which will cost 500 euros.

“There are just over 40 children out of nine grades in 9th grade,” their mother, Vera Magarreiro, said, adding that there, too, “there was never anything specifically for those who couldn’t afford the trip.”

In response to Lusa’s question, the President of the National Confederation of Parent Associations (Confap) stated that “since these are study visits, conditions must be made for everyone to participate,” urging “everyone to refer these cases to parent associations so that students can be supported.”

Mariana Carvalho lamented that, as in other areas, in education “the most needy continue to suffer the most”.

Filinto Lima added that in addition to ASE students, there are many others for whom the prices of these trips are prohibitive, and schools must ensure that “no one is left behind.”

Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal

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