Portugal

Preprimary Education: The family is in charge of the child's education at an early stage. The role of the family is complemented or supplemented with educação préescolar (preschool education). Preschool education is part of the Departamento de Educação Básica (Department of Basic Education), and is organized into public and private nursery schools. Since 1977, there is a legal provision for one year of preprimary education, but because the government recognizes the importance of the family in the child's learning process from the age of three to six, attendance is optional.

The purpose of preschool is to stimulate the child's skills, introduce him or her to a system, encourage the development of a number of potential abilities, help acquire a sense of order and responsibility, and promote social integration at an early stage. Awareness is a keyword in this process.

Basic Education: Educação básica (basic education) starts at the age of six and lasts for nine years. As the name implies, it is a basic and general education that allows the student to pursue higher levels of education.

Basic education is universal, compulsory, and free of charge. It is divided into three cycles of different duration. The first cycle lasts four years. It includes the development of speech, reading, and writing, and basic skills in the subjects of arithmetic, artistic expression, drama, music, and sports.

The second cycle lasts two years. Education is centered on the previous humanistic, artistic, and physical studies, along with scientific, technological, sociological, and economical studies. Emphasis is given to developing creative and critical thinking, and methodology is introduced in several of the fields taught. Moral and civic education is also introduced at this stage.

The third cycle lasts three years. There is a continuation of the previous teaching, but is focused on the student's future either in continuing studies or in joining the work force. Vocational guidance is given to help prepare the student for the future. The twelfth year is the ano propedêutico (a year of preparation for higher level studies).

Adult Education: Part of the Department of Basic Education is the Ensino Básico Recorrente (Basic Education for Adults). It provides an opportunity for adults who did not have a previous chance to study, or who failed or dropped out of school, to integrate into the societal system. It also allows adult professional improvement. At the end of the third cycle of this learning process, adults receive a diploma or certificate similar to regular education. There is a curricular program with evaluation, but learning is focused on an interdisciplinary approach to round out the adult's personality. The goal of adult education is to help eliminate illiteracy. In 1990 the rate of illiteracy was 13 percent, mainly in rural areas and among women.

Special Education: There are special schools for handicapped children, although they are often included in normal classes. The Instituto Antonio Coelho and the Instituto Condessa de Rilvas are responsible for mentally retarded children. The Instituto de Assistência aos Menores takes care of the visually and hearing impaired youngsters. The Centro Infantil Helen Keller is also in charge of the visually impaired. In 1973 the Ministry of Education set up a department of special education to help out the basic and secondary levels. Teachers are prepared at the Centro de Preparação de Pessoal da Direccção Geral de Assistência.