Portugal’s Minister for Education, Science and Innovation has declared it would be a mistake for schools to not use artificial intelligence. He also confirmed that the government’s plan to give every pupil an AI tutor will be unveiled in May.
Speaking in Alcobaça on Thursday, Fernando Alexandre said the working group preparing the country’s digital strategy is in the final stretch. Its conclusions are expected in May, when the government will present the new programme first announced by Deputy Minister for State Reform, Gonçalo Matias.
The idea is to “take advantage of what artificial intelligence can give us today,” adding that “not using it is the biggest mistake anyone can make today.”
The minister pointed to the U.S. K-12 model, where AI is already used to track learning gaps and adapt tutoring to each student’s needs. The goal in Portugal, he stressed, is to support teachers, not replace them, and to extend to basic and secondary education what universities and even private companies are already doing.
Considering that AI “amplifies capacities,” the minister insisted that the education system will be “left behind” if it ignores AI. Education, “which must ensure equal opportunities, will have to have digital, artificial intelligence,” he stated.
Alexandre spoke to Lusa news agency during a visit to D. Inês de Castro Secondary School, where he inaugurated a new Specialised Technological Centre for Informatics, a project worth around €800,000 funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Minister admits error in vacancies’ ordinance
During his visit, the minister also addressed the controversy surrounding the recent correction of the vacancies’ ordinance for teacher placement, admitting there had been “an error”.
“From the moment there is an error, and we realise we can improve the allocation of 1,800 teachers in zones that need them, I am obliged to change it,” he said. Vacancies, he added, are now being opened “in a targeted way” and based on real needs.
Portugal currently has around 1,000 unfilled vacancies, and with many teachers approaching retirement, Alexandre acknowledged that shortages will not disappear overnight.
Despite criticism from unions, the minister said he has “no problem correcting, acknowledging the mistake”, insisting that what matters is achieving a better result.
Alexandre also promised a national strategy to tackle reading difficulties by December. A new report from EduQA found that while most second-grade pupils read at expected levels, around 25% are at risk of future problems.
The minister said he will present the full findings and the government’s response during an event in Santarém next month.
