Directors are optimistic about improvements in services under the Ministry of Education's new structure

"The question is: Will we achieve our goals with this model? We'll see. I'm optimistic," Filinto Lima summarized in a statement to the Lusa news agency.

The representative of the National Association of Directors of Public Schools and Groups ( ANDAEP ) was referring to the new structure of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI), announced on Thursday, July 31, which will imply the extinction of several entities, which will be integrated into new agencies.

The non-higher education system will undergo the largest reduction. From the current eight sectoral entities, which include three directorates-general, two major agencies will emerge: the Institute of Education, Quality, and Assessment and the Agency for the Management of the Education System.

From Filinto Lima's perspective, the changes could be positive and help resolve the difficulties and inefficiencies that directors have long identified in the functioning of the Ministry of Education's services.

And he gave examples: contradictory responses from different services on the same topic, excessive bureaucracy, or duplication of requests for information from schools.

"The basic idea behind all of this is to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and functionality of the Ministry of Education. And we directors often complained about this lack of efficiency and effectiveness," he emphasized.

Recognizing that this is the executive's intention, Filinto Lima adds that schools also want to feel more and better supported by the government.

“Now, we have to wait and see if this strategy will actually work,” he said.

The new MECI structure was announced on Thursday, at a press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting.

Minister Fernando Alexandre justified the restructuring by describing his ministry as an "anachronistic structure," with fragmented organizations, disintegrated information systems, and disjointed governance.

"When we began to think about this reform, we did so with one vision: to guarantee equal opportunities in access to quality education," he argued.

Fenprof expressed concern about this change, stating that it could lead to an increase in inequalities, as reported by Barlavento.

The government wants to redefine the structure of the various ministries and expects this process to be completed by the end of the first half of 2026. For now, the changes to the MECI should come into effect immediately after the publication of the new structure in the Official Gazette.

Photo: ANDAEP.