The Madeira Teachers' Union (SPM) has warned that around one hundred teachers are set to leave the island for the mainland, exacerbating the already felt shortage of educators for the upcoming academic year. Francisco Oliveira, SPM president, noted that this departure adds to the approximately 150 teachers retiring.
Oliveira criticized the Regional Secretariat of Education for its lack of openness in fulfilling past promises and engaging in dialogue, suggesting a toughening of union actions at the start of the school year. The union also expressed dissatisfaction with Madeira's longer school calendar compared to the mainland, which has already led to strikes and may prompt further action.
The union leader highlighted an "exponential increase" in the teacher deficit, attributing some departures to disappointment over unfulfilled promises, such as the recovery of service time. He also cited an increase in long-term sick leaves and a lack of new professionals entering the teaching profession as factors depleting the region's teacher "reserve."
