Problem worsened in schools: hundreds of teachers abandon their careers this month

Reform progresses in January for at least 310 teachers. And there was already a lack of teachers in many groups.

A lack of teachers is, once again, a topic in this academic year 2025/26. And the problem will get worse from this month onwards.

At the end of 2025, there was a shortage of teachers in at least 25 school groups – since the beginning of this academic year, announced the .

In mid-November, the accounts showed thousands of children, especially from primary schools, without classes at many times.

At the time, FENPROF – National Federation of Teachers saw this context as a “critical situation”: 133 1st cycle classes, more than 3,300 students, without a main teacher.

In the overall accounts, in the first period of this academic year, there were more than 17,400 hours to fill; an increase of almost 40% compared to the first period of 2024/25, according to .

And, also at that time, two months ago, it was announced that the lack of teachers was largely due to the aging of the teaching class.

Now, according to , this problem will be even more visible from this month onwards.

In January, at least 310 teachers will retire.

And these accounts only cover the numbers of General Retirement Fund; Social Security numbers are not known. In other words, there could be more teachers in retirement this month.

Principals and teachers are worried, especially in areas like Lisbon and Vale do Tejo. They once again defend that the teaching career should be valued.

The second period starts next Monday, January 5th.