For Rita Mendes Correia, president of the APFN, “the month of September represents a demanding test for the budget of Portuguese families, especially those with more than one school-age child.”
At a time when Portuguese families are facing the peak of back-to-school costs, data from the most recent analysis by OAFR – Observatory of Family-Friendly Municipalities, an initiative of the Portuguese Large Families Association (APFN), reveal a solid commitment by municipalities in crucial areas such as school meals and incentives for academic merit, while identifying room to extend these best practices beyond primary education.
The survey, which received responses from 155 of Portugal’s 308 municipalities (50.3%) regarding measures implemented in 2024, highlights the key role played by local authorities in in the family budget.
92% of the surveyed portuguese municipalities support leisure activities during school holidays, and 84% provide school transport assistance beyond what is legally required.
With regard to school meals, 79% of municipalities provide support for school meals beyond what is required by law. However, only 54% of municipalities ensure this support across in any education cycle.
When analyzing the direct investment in school supplies and exercise books, a marked asymmetry by teaching cycle stands out in the OAFR report. For Rita Mendes Correia, president of the APFN, “the month of September represents a demanding test for the budget of Portuguese families, especially those with more than one school-age child. We recognise the commitment and
best practices of many portuguese municipalities, yet the data also show that some forms of support tend to disappear after the second cycle of education. Education costs do not decrease as children grow up—on the contrary, they increase. It is essential to move toward integrated municipal policies that support students throughout their entire educational journey.”