The government will create support of up to 300 euros for laid-off teachers

The government wants to create support for laid-off teachers who teach in schools with a major teacher shortage, the minister to the president said on Thursday, adding that the subsidy would range from 70 to 300 euros.

The proposed decree-law was approved this Thursday at a meeting of the Council of Ministers and will be discussed with trade unions representing teachers.

At a press conference following the meeting, António Leitão Amaru explained that travel allowances will be provided to teachers located more than 70 kilometers from home, as well as to schools with the greatest need in the regions of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, Alentejo and Algarve.

The cost of this support will vary from 70 to 300 euros, depending on the distance. “Simply put, 70 euros for those who are 70 kilometers away, 300 euros for those who are 300 kilometers away,” the minister summed up.

The Council of Ministers also approved the holding of an extraordinary competition for the recruitment of staff, intended for schools with the greatest shortage of teachers, which will also be agreed upon with the sector’s trade unions.

After a series of proposals to respond to the teacher shortage were announced in June and were already under negotiation, the executive branch approved a decree-law on Thursday implementing measures such as the hiring of retired teachers.

Under Plan + Aulas + Sucesso, in addition to retired teachers who will receive additional income upon retirement, teachers who wish to continue teaching after reaching retirement age will receive an additional remuneration of 750 euros.

The government also wants to have 500 doctoral students in schools who can accumulate up to 10 hours of teaching and will provide 500 scholarships for professional qualifications to teach masters and doctors.

The plan also provides 2,000 scholarships for students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education or teaching science.