Portugal Launches Six-Year Primary Model with AI & Coding by 2027

Portugal’s basic-education map is about to be redrawn. The Ministry of Education has confirmed that every subject timetable, learning goal and even the border between the 1.º and 2.º ciclos will be rewritten over the next two school years, with the new model landing in classrooms in 2027/2028. Families, teachers and municipalities now face a countdown to the most far-reaching reform since the extension of compulsory schooling a decade ago.

In a nutshell – what’s on the table?

• Six-year single cycle: the current 1.º (years 1-4) and 2.º (years 5-6) ciclos disappear, replaced by one continuous stage.

• Revamped Aprendizagens Essenciais: all subject benchmarks are being updated.

• Timetable shake-up: hours per discipline will shift to open room for new areas.

• Digital & AI literacy pushed into the core curriculum.

• Public consultation promised for early 2026; final decree in 2027.

Why families in Portugal should care

A seamless six-year journey aims to end the "cliff" many pupils hit when they jump from year 4 to year 5. School psychologists link that transition to a 20 % spike in absenteeism and grade retention. By smoothing the path, policymakers hope to lift overall attainment and reduce the north-south gap that still haunts national test results. For parents, the reform could mean fewer school changes, more stable teacher teams and—crucially—earlier exposure to coding, media literacy and responsible use of artificial intelligence.

What exactly will change inside the classroom?

Under the draft circulated to regional directors, every timetable block is up for renegotiation. Portuguese language and mathematics keep their central role but shrink by up to one weekly hour, freeing space for a new transdisciplinary area dubbed "Tecnologia e Sociedade". History and science are expected to adopt project-based modules tied to Agenda 2030 goals. Art education gains an elective slot, while English moves forward to year 1 in all schools, ending the current patchwork. The ministry insists the total weekly load will not exceed the current 25-hour ceiling for younger pupils, promising "redistribution, not overload".

Digital skills and AI: buzzwords or real tools?

Minister Fernando Alexandre argues that “AI fluency is as vital as basic numeracy”. Concretely, the new framework introduces:

• Algorithmic thinking exercises from year 2.

• Data ethics debates in upper primary.

• Use of adaptive learning platforms for personalised maths drills.Yet officials point to Sweden’s recent rollback on screens as a cautionary tale. The Portuguese blueprint therefore insists on a “print-digital balance”, mandating at least 40 % of literacy activities to remain on paper.

Teachers warn of tight deadlines

Unions are not convinced. The Federation of Education (FNE) says the 18-month schedule is “technically unrealistic” and notes that course loads affect career progression and school staffing. Classroom specialists also fear larger classes if generalist and specialist roles blur. The ministry, however, counters that the consolidated six-year cycle will allow “more stable teaching teams” and cites Finnish research linking staff continuity to higher reading scores.

Looking across Europe for clues

Other countries offer mixed lessons:

• Spain merged early primary phases in 2022 and reported a 6-point rise in reading scores, but only after a costly teacher-training blitz.

• France went the opposite way, doubling down on phonics and handwriting; inspectors credit the move for halving grade repetition in year 2.

• Sweden’s digital retreat underscores the risk of tech overreach, prompting Lisbon to set a scientific advisory board to vet every new app before classroom use.By cherry-picking these experiences, policymakers hope to avoid both gadget-driven hype and content-light curricula.

The road ahead: key dates

Jan–Mar 2026 – national consultation, online and in regional forums.

Jun 2026 – pilot timetable released to 50 volunteer school clusters.

Dec 2026 – final decree-law sent to Parliament.

Sep 2027 – first cohort starts year 1 under the new rules.

2028 – external evaluation, with OECD input, to tweak the model.

Fast facts to remember

• 1.4 M pupils will eventually study under the revised curriculum.

• Reform covers all public and private basic schools.

• Budget allocation: €180 M for teacher training and digital resources.

• Parents’ associations get 30 days to comment once the decree is published.

• No child will change textbooks mid-cycle; full adoption happens only when a cohort starts year 1.

Bottom line

Portugal’s curriculum overhaul is ambitious, compressing structural changes that other nations unfolded over a decade into just two years. If the ministry can bring teachers on board and keep technology in check, pupils stand to gain a more coherent, future-ready education. If not, the reform risks becoming yet another chapter in the country’s long list of missed educational opportunities.