Portugal Travel

Portugal has one of the best educational systems in the whole world. The literacy rates among adults are one of the highest at 99 percent. Even students around 15 years of age are at par with other students from rich countries like the Unites States of America, France, Germany and Taiwan. A third of Portugal’ young adults are pursuing college degrees. Education in Portugal is regulated by 2 state ministries namely the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education.

The Portuguese has a long history about education. The University of Coimbra was built in the year 1290. The largest university in Portugal is the University of Porto.

Portuguese children can attend school at an early age of 3. These schools are called Jardins de Infancia or Kindergartens. For children who are 6 years of age come September 15, they can enroll for the first year of basic education. Though the State offers free learning at public schools, they don’t provide or sell any text books. Financial assistance from the Government can be given to poor students.

Basic Portuguese education is a 3 stage process that will take 9 years. The stages are called:

• Ensino Basico- 1 Ciclo (a 4 year program for kids from 6 to 10 years old)
• Ensico Basico- 2 Ciclo (a 2 year program for kids from 10 to 12 years old)
• Ensico Basico - 3 Ciclo (a 3 year program for kids from 12 to 15 years old)

A Diploma or a Certificate will be awarded to a child after he finishes the third stage of basic education.

The Secondary Education in Portugal has 2 Branches, the first is higher education oriented or Escola Secundaria, and the other is more work or technical oriented or Escolas Profissionais. Secondary schooling takes 3 years to complete.

For students who want to pursue higher education after finishing their Secondary Education, they can go and take a Higher Education course. The higher education system in Portugal is divided into 2 sub-systems: The University System and the Polytechnic Systems.

Degrees such as Medicine, Law and Economics are only taught at the University System. Degrees such as Engineering, Agriculture, Education and Humanities are offered both the University System and the Polytechnic System. The Polytechnic system exclusively offers courses such as accounting technicians and primary school teachings.

Go for a Portugal Travel and you will see all these very old school buildings with majestic architecture from Lisbon to Azores to Coimbra and more!