In a last minute U-turn, the Government has agreed not to test all teachers for the controversial teachers’ exam that has sparked protests throughout the country. In return, teachers’ unions have agreed to call off the strike scheduled for the day of the test, December 18.
The announcement, made following advice from the Justice department, means that teachers with more than five years’ experience will now be exempt from the exam.
Education minister Nuno Crato called the deal “fair”.
This new reality brings the number of teachers who will be tested for their expertise in the classroom down from 43,000 to 20,000.
Teachers have been up in arms over the exam – for which they will all be obliged to pay a €20 fee – saying it devalues their worth and is completely unjustified. They have accused the government of simply trying to line its pockets at teachers’ expense.
