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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice

Portugal

Quality assurance in early childhood and school education

According to Law No 31/2002, 20 December, the education and non-higher education evaluation system includes pre-school, basic and upper secondary school education, as well as out-of-school provision and special types of education.

This applies to pre-school, basic and upper secondary education schools on the public, private, cooperative and solidarity networks.

The objectives of the system include:

Qualifica centres

In addition to the coordinator, the staff of each Qualifica Centre is made up of guidance, recognition and validation of competences (GRVC) professionals (Técnicos de Orientação, Reconhecimento e Validação de Competências – TORVC), trainers or teachers in the various key competency areas and the different education and training areas for processes of recognition, validation and certification of school and vocational competences.

Qualifica centres

Qualifica Centres are coordinated by an individual designated by the centre's organising body.  This person is responsible for institutional representation, as well as ensuring proper operation in terms of educational, organisational and financial management.

The coordinator should hold higher education qualifications and have experience in managing educational and training processes.

Public higher education institutions

Each public higher education institution (HEI) must have the necessary human resources to fulfil its mission but can contract external services.

Public HEIs are free to manage their human resources in accordance with their needs and following the principles of good management, respecting budgetary limitations.

In accordance with the law, public HEIs are responsible for their own staff recruitment.

The non-teaching staff of school clusters and non-clustered schools are part of the general regime of public administration, which are defined by the General Employment Law for Public Office approved by Law No 35/2014, 20 June, which regulates employment in public service.

It should be noted that most professionals working in psychology and guidance services (Serviços de Psicologia e Orientação - SPO) are psychologists.

Psychology and guidance services

Vocational development and guidance is an important part of the educational process. The role of these services is to monitor students’ progress throughout their school career, helping to achieve educational success and psychological well-being and health, both during and after school by developing skills that will be useful in later life.

The General Inspectorate of Education and Science is the entity responsible for monitoring quality in pre-school and school education, through its professionals who are part of a special inspection profession.

School education

The law regarding the autonomy, administration and management of public pre-school establishments and basic and upper secondary schools was reviewed in 2008. It meets three main goals: