Sixty-two teachers across Portugal have been removed from their posts after a new automated system flagged their criminal records as incompatible with working alongside children. The Portugal Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation confirmed the provisional removals and said the cases involve convictions for sexual abuse, child pornography, and domestic violence.
What the system found
The discoveries emerged in the first weeks of the 2026/2027 school year after Portugal introduced an automatic criminal record verification system for educators. The digital platform cross-checks staff records against Justice Ministry databases in real time, replacing a manual process that required school directors to collect and validate certificates every 90 days.
Education Minister Fernando Alexandre ordered the Inspectorate-General of Education and Science (Inspeção-Geral da Educação e Ciência — IGEC) to examine each case urgently. The ministry stated that the 62 teachers identified have been provisionally suspended from duties and are not required to report to their schools while inspectors assess their individual files.
How the verification works
Under Portuguese law, specifically Law No. 113/2009 amended by Law No. 103/2015, professionals with regular contact with minors must present clean criminal certificates. ConVICTIONS that legally bar someone from teaching include:
• Crimes against sexual freedom and self-determination (rape, sexual abuse of children, sexual harassment, procurement, child pornography)
• Domestic violence (Article 152 of the Penal Code)
• Ill-treatment (Article 152-A of the Penal Code)
The system also flags accessory penalties — court-ordered prohibitions on exercising certain professions — which can apply to those convicted of sexual crimes under Article 69-B of the Penal Code.
The ministry said the automated verification provides continuous monitoring rather than a one-time check. School directors are estimated to save 20 to 30 working hours per year previously spent on paperwork. Schools receive notifications only when a relevant change appears in a staff member's record.
What happens next
The IGEC will verify the nature of each conviction, including any accessory penalties, security measures, or judicial prohibitions. Consequences could range from reinstatement to disciplinary dismissal, depending on what inspectors find. This review process will now follow whenever the system flags an invalid criminal record.
The ministry framed the measure as part of administrative simplification and digitalization efforts, but emphasized that the priority is strengthening child protection. The 62 cases represent the first major test of the system since its deployment.
For parents, the change means schools can now respond within days — rather than months — when a teacher's criminal status changes. For teachers, a flagged record triggers an immediate suspension with full procedural rights: the right to defend themselves, present evidence, and appeal any final disciplinary decision within five working days.
