The General Inspectorate of Education and Science (IGEC) is the entity responsible for monitoring quality in pre-school and school education, through its inspectors (professionals who are part of a special inspection career). The autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira have their own education inspectorates (regional education inspectorates).

Requirements for appointment

To join the special inspection career path applicable to IGEC, the following is required:

• Successful completion of a specific training course, which must take place during the probationary period (Article 5(1) of Decree-Law 170/2009, 3 August). The specific training course:
  • is regulated by Ministerial Order 149/2018, 24 May;
  • lasts seven months – two months for initial theoretical training and five months for on-the-job training –; and
  • is assessed by (i) an exam; (ii) a professional assessment interview; and (iii) a final assignment on a topic related to the training provided.
• The academic qualification of a bachelor’s degree (pursuant to Annex I of Decree-Law 170/2009, 3 August, in conjunction with Article 86(1), c) of the General Law on Public Service Employment (LTFP), approved by Law 35/2014, 20 June, as currently in force.

Other staff members with permanent public-sector contracts may also carry out inspection duties at IGEC, provided they are exceptionally appointed by the Government member responsible for education on a secondment basis, up to a maximum of 5% of the total number of IGEC inspectors (Article 13 of Decree-Law 170/2009, 3 August).

Conditions of service

The special inspection career has a functional complexity level of 3, the terms of which are set out in Decree-Law 170/2009, 3 August. It is a single-category career whose entry is by appointment.
Recruitment takes place through a competitive selection process, the procedure for which is regulated by Ministerial Order 233/2022, 9 September. The procedure includes the following stages:
•    Decision to open the procedure
•    Appointment of the selection panel
•    Definition of the rules and criteria to be applied
•    Publication of the opening of the procedure
•    Assessment of applications, use of the selection criteria and evaluation
•    Publication of the results  and final ranking of candidates
•    Hearing of interested parties and approval
•    Recruitment and filling of post

Remuneration for the special inspection career is divided into 12 pay grades (plus two supplementary grades, subject to specific conditions), in accordance with the public administration remuneration system (SRAP). The lowest grade corresponds to a monthly salary of €1,863.62 and the highest to €3,972.72 (€4,424.62 for the highest supplementary grade). 
IGEC inspectors have a 35-hour working week. 
The rules on mobility within the category and inter-career mobility, set out in Articles 92 to 100 of the General Labour Law for the Civil Service – LTFP, apply to IGEC inspectors. Mobility within the category may occur between the various inspectorates to which the special inspection career applies.
Termination of employment may arise from the following situations: 
•    Retirement: this occurs in accordance with the provisions applicable to civil servants (Decree-Law 498/72, 9 December, as currently in force), requiring, as a general rule, 15 years’ service and reaching the standard retirement age (66 years and nine months in 2026 – Ordinance 358/2024/1, 30 December);
•    Termination: supervening, absolute and definitive inability to perform work, or upon reaching the age of 70;
•    Dismissal: only possible following disciplinary proceedings (LTFP, Article 298);
•    Early retirement: possible from the age of 55, subject to authorisation by Government members responsible for finance and public administration;
•    Agreement: requires prior authorisation from the members of the Government responsible for finance, public administration and education;
•    Termination of secondment, where duties are being performed under such an arrangement.

 With regard to professional development, pursuant to Article 14 of Decree-Law 86-A/2016, 29 December, inspectors are entitled to:
•    Attend training courses necessary for their personal and professional development;
•    Submit proposals for the drafting of the IGEC training plan;
•    Use, within working hours, up to 100 hours per calendar year for self-directed professional training.