Portugal’s Education Ministry Opens Door to Improve Teacher Relocation Subsidies

The Portuguese Ministry of Education is considering improving the financial support offered to teachers relocated to distant areas. An initial proposal presented to unions suggests a payment between 75 and 300 euros for teachers placed more than 70 kilometers from their homes. However, teachers find this sum insufficient and oppose its inclusion in taxable income. The minister of education, Fernando Alexandre, acknowledges the possibility of revising the proposal, stating that they will re-evaluate the support structure based on feedback from the unions. Despite the openness to adjustments, the minister emphasizes that the subsidy will be limited to teachers in specific schools and subjects, declining to publicly disclose the list of beneficiaries. This decision, according to him, is to avoid stigmatizing schools facing difficulties in ensuring sufficient staffing levels.