The Government announced a pilot project to join the 1st and 2nd cycles of basic education, which should start in the 2027/2028 school year. This change represents a restructuring of the school system in Portugal, where currently the 1st cycle corresponds to years 1 to 4 and the 2nd cycle to years 5 and 6.
Parents expressed support for the measure, recognizing possible benefits in the organization of teaching cycles. However, parent associations warn of the need to act with "caution" in implementing this educational change.
The proposal comes in a context of debate about the organization of the Portuguese educational system and aims to evaluate the results of this merger before a possible expansion to the entire country. The pilot project will be decisive in understanding whether joining the cycles brings pedagogical and operational advantages.
