On March 9th, 2026, during a regular plenary session, the National Parliament unanimously approved the new Education Framework Law through the final overall vote on Draft Law No. 8/VI (2nd). This law regulates preschool, primary, and secondary education, special types of school education, extracurricular education, and technical and vocational training. It also repeals Law No. 14/2008 of October 29th. 
The law was approved with 56 votes in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions. The proposal resulted from collaboration between Committee G of the National Parliament, responsible for Education, Youth, Culture, and Citizenship, and the Ministry of Education, led by the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, assisted by the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Vocational Secondary Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos.
During the plenary session, Minister Dulce de Jesus Soares noted that the law was the result of a long process of collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Committee G of the National Parliament, emphasising the contribution of technical teams and members of parliament in drafting the document. The minister expressed “deep gratitude to the Chairman of Committee G and all its members for their patience, dedication, and commitment, demonstrating a collective commitment to advancing the education sector.”
The Minister also highlighted the alignment of the new law with the Government’s priorities and reiterated that the commitment of the 9th Constitutional Government is “to leave no child behind,” stating that the Ministry of Education continues to mobilise the necessary resources to monitor developments in the education sector globally and secure the academic success of all students.
The new Education Framework Law updates the legal structure of the education system. It provides a basis for reforms already implemented and those currently underway, aimed at improving the quality of teaching, promoting inclusion, and enhancing school management.
Among the main measures are the revision of curricula at different levels of education, the development of new teaching materials, and the ongoing training and enhancement of teachers’ skills. Simultaneously, the Government has established a merit-based teacher recruitment system and a pool of teachers to replace retiring staff and meet nationwide demand, including in remote areas. The Executive continues to invest in school infrastructure, the technological modernisation of schools, and the reinforcement of inclusive education.