THE COMPETENCIES OF THE INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION AND THE FUNCTIONS OF INSPECTORS IN PORTUGAL: FROM THE MONARCHY (1771/1772) TO THE PRESENT DAY (2023)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to analyse the historical evolution of the competences, organisation and attributions of the Inspectorate in Portugal (mainland), from the Monarchy (1771/1772) to the present day (2023), as well as the competences and functions of inspectors and career. To carry out this research, in addition to legal regulations and various bibliographies, unstructured interviews were carried out with inspectors.

The Inspectorate has developed its duties and competences in line with the ideologies defended by the ruling power and in accordance with educational policies, from the monarchy (1771/1772) to the present day.

Inspectors have always been required to fulfil a wide range of competences and carry out a wide range of duties, directly linked to the duties imposed on the inspection of education, with many limitations on their technical autonomy.

In general, in the periods from 1771 to 1979, and from 1995 to 2009, the remuneration status was in line with the high levels of competence required to inspectors, with salaries being higher than the average salary for teachers. The current inspection career is not in line with the demands of the career, once progression and the evaluation system are clearly inadequate.