The Ministry of Education (ME) assured this Tuesday that the proposal for the new Positions, Functions and Remuneration Plan (PCFR) for Teaching Staff was shared with the three class unions, refuting SINDPROF’s criticisms. The body called for the responsibility and honesty of union representatives and highlighted that they have the role of informing and defending the legitimate interests of teachers.
In a statement, the ME guarantees that the teaching staff’s PCFR proposal was sent to the three teachers’ unions, SINDEP, SIPROFIS and SINDPROF simultaneously, shortly after being sent to Parliament, and prior meetings were held to present the preliminary project.
Furthermore, it ensures that the document underwent a 30-day public consultation, during which hundreds of teachers sent suggestions.
The Ministry emphasizes that SINDPROF’s opinion was received after the stipulated deadline and that, after contributions from teachers and unions, the final version was shared before being presented to the Council of Ministers.
The Ministry also reiterates that the proposal was published in full in the newspapers “Expresso das Ilhas” and “A Nação” after the presidential veto, aiming to guarantee transparency and access to information for all interested teachers.
“We call for the seriousness, responsibility and above all honesty of the unions that have the role of informing and defending the legitimate interests of teachers, without misrepresentation and delaying maneuvers”, says the ME.
Regarding the request for an opinion from the National Assembly to SINDPROF, the institution says that it fully respects the competences of the sovereign bodies, and therefore does not comment on requests for opinions that the National Assembly found it convenient to request from teachers’ unions.
“And the Ministry of Education will be available to, within the framework of the parliamentary debate, participate in this dialogue, but scrupulously respecting the initiatives that Parliament considers appropriate”, he concludes.
