to partner schools in Portugal.
THE PORTUGUESE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
The Educational System Act of 1986 establishes the actual framework of education in Portugal.
The Educational System comprises the preschool education, the school education (basic education, secondary education and higher education) and the extra-school education.
Since then, compulsory schooling was extended to nine years and children are supposed to stay at school until the age of 15. Once the preschool education is not obligatory, compulsory education corresponds to basic education.
BASIC EDUCATION (COMPULSORY)
Basic education in Portugal is universal and gratis. Its main goal is to assure all individuals a general and common education. It comprises three cycles and at the end pupils can pursue their studies or join a professional life.
The general aims of basic education are grouped in three dimensions:
individual dimension
create conditions to the global and harmonious development of personality, through progressive finding of interests, abilities and skills which enable personal development, both in its individual and social dimensions.
basic acquisition dimension
allow the acquisition and domain of knowledge, tools, capacities, attitudes and values which are indispensable to a wise choice of further school or professional options.
citizenship dimension
develop values, attitudes and practices which contribute to create conscious and participant citizens
CURRICULUM OF BASIC EDUCATION
1st CYCLE (25 hours per week)
- Motor skills
- Music
- Dramatic expression
- Drawing
- Physical and Social Environment
- Portuguese
- Maths
- Religious (catholic) Education
- "Área-escola"
- Complementary activities
2nd CYCLE
| SUBJECT | NUMBER OF LESSONS PER WEEK | |
| 5 th grade | 6 th grade | |
| Portuguese | 5 | 5 |
| Foreign Language (English or French) | 3 | 3 |
| Portuguese History and Geography | 4 | 4 |
| Maths | 4 | 4 |
| Science | 3 | 3 |
| Visual and Technological Education | 5 | 5 |
| Music | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 |
| Physical Education | 3 | 3 |
| Religious (catholic) Education | 1 | 1 |
"Área-escola"
Complementary activities
| NUMBER OF LESSONS PER WEEK | |||
| SUBJECT | 7 th grade | 8 th grade | 9 th grade |
| Portuguese | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Foreign Language (English or French) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| History | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Geography | 3 | - | 4 |
| Maths | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Physics and Chemistry | - | 4 | 3 |
| Science | 4 | 3 | - |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Physical Education | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 |
| Religious (catholic) Education | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Foreign Language (English or French) or Technological Education or Music |
3 2 or 3 2 or 3 |
3 2 or 3 2 or 3 |
3 2 or 3 2 or 3 |
"Área-escola"
Complementary activities