The National Council of Education (CNE) recommends increasing teacher salaries and giving schools more autonomy in choosing teachers as two ways to make the profession more attractive and combat the shortage of professionals.
In a recommendation published on Tuesday in the Diário da República, the advisory body makes a series of recommendations to counter the teacher shortage phenomenon, which “is global and alarming”: in Europe alone, the problem “affects 35 European systems.”
Portugal is no exception and, according to a 2021 study, more than 30 thousand teachers would need to be hired by 2030 to guarantee the smooth functioning of schools.
Therefore, CNE consultants present a set of recommendations aimed at various recipients, including “government, professional associations, school association training centers, school principals, educational institutions, trainers, learning managers and teachers.”
To make the profession more attractive, the rapporteurs argue, it is necessary to improve working conditions and “promote a review of early career pay rates and conditions for career progression, proximity to residence and travel and accommodation support.” .
“Revisiting the teacher recruitment and selection model in the light of greater school autonomy, within the national regulatory framework, depending on the characteristics and needs of each context” is another CNE recommendation.
The recommendations, released Tuesday, are grouped into four main areas: assessment of the profession; continuous formation; conditions for practicing a profession and pedagogical professionalism.
Regarding lifelong learning, speakers advocate measures such as the need to rethink the initial training model, strengthen existing training, or create partnerships between higher education institutions and schools to prepare future teachers.
The CNE also makes five recommendations regarding working conditions in the profession, arguing that personal and professional stability are necessary, but it is also necessary to reduce primarily bureaucratic and administrative tasks.
The eight recommendations for teaching professionalism range from the importance of strong initial preparation at higher levels, to creating conditions for professional autonomy, and to implementing mentoring and teacher supervision programs that promote the dynamics of collaboration, reflection, innovation, and exploration in practice.
These recommendations were based on international reports, national legislation and “fifteen hearings involving national and foreign actors,” the document said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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