Schools and preschools across Portugal could face closures or disruptions on Monday, 19 October, as non-teaching staff prepare for a nationwide strike.
Several schools have already started informing parents about possible closures, although it is not yet known how many employees will take part.
As reported by Executive Digest, the 24-hour strike has been called by the National Union of Education Professionals (SINAPE) and will run from midnight until the end of Monday.
The strike covers several categories of non-teaching staff, including operational assistants, administrative assistants, specialised technicians and senior technicians working in public education and social services.
These employees are responsible for many of the daily tasks that allow schools to operate, from supervising children and maintaining school facilities to administrative work and providing support to students.
If a large number of employees join the strike, some schools may not have enough staff to open safely, even if teachers are available to work.
Schools already warning parents
Several school groups have already issued notices advising parents to prepare for possible disruptions.
Among them is the Agrupamento de Escolas de Alcoutim, in the Algarve, which has asked parents to confirm whether schools will be operating before leaving their children there.
The school group has also warned families whose children use school transport to make sure the school is open before the children are dropped off.
Similar warnings have been issued by school groups in Guia, Esposende and Lousã, where parents have been informed that normal school activities and administrative services could be affected.
The Agrupamento de Escolas António Correia de Oliveira, in Esposende, has advised families to check with their children's schools and be prepared for changes to the usual timetable.
In Lousã, the school management has warned that it may not be possible to guarantee normal operations in schools and preschools, with more information expected to be provided on the day of the strike.
However, these warnings do not mean that all schools will close. The situation will depend on how many workers decide to participate and whether each school has enough staff to operate safely.
Why are workers going on strike?
The union is calling for better salaries, improved working conditions and greater recognition of the responsibilities carried out by non-teaching staff.
SINAPE argues that many workers have seen their salaries move increasingly close to the national minimum wage, despite years of experience and additional responsibilities.
The union is also demanding specific career structures for different categories of school employees, with better opportunities for salary progression.
Another concern is the number of non-teaching staff working in Portuguese schools. According to the union, the current staffing levels do not always reflect the actual needs of schools, leaving some establishments struggling with insufficient employees.
SINAPE has also raised concerns about the public administration performance evaluation system, known as SIADAP, which it believes does not adequately recognise the work carried out by these professionals.
The employment conditions of specialised technicians and senior technicians are another issue, with the union calling for more stable contracts and better career recognition.
What should parents do?
With the strike approaching, parents are being advised to follow communications from their children's schools and check whether they will be open on Monday morning.
The strike notice does not provide for minimum services, meaning that some schools may be unable to guarantee the supervision and safety of children if too many employees are absent.
School management teams will be responsible for assessing whether they have sufficient staff to operate safely.
Even schools that remain open could experience disruptions to certain activities, including administrative services, school meals or other support services.
Parents of younger children, particularly those attending preschool or primary school, may need to make alternative childcare arrangements if their school is unable to open.
The full impact of the strike will only become clear on Monday, when schools know how many employees have decided to participate.
For now, families are encouraged to check official school notices and confirm that their children's school is operating before leaving them at the entrance.