OPTIMIZATION OF PORTUGUESE CHILDREN’ FREE TIME IN NEW XXI’ CENTURY FAMILIES

Abstract

This study describes and interprets the historical process of creation and implementation of the school operating on a full time basis, in children’s free time management in the basic education in Portugal. A qualitative approach has been adopted to collected data through interviews with the Regional Secretary of Education, the Regional Director of Education, the president of the Town Council of S. Vicente, the Directors and the thirty questionnaires responded by the teaching staff in the two schools operating on a full time basis. The project undertaken reveals that the school operating on a full time basis was instituted by the Portuguese Government Autonomous Region (Ilha da Madeira), with teacher participation and involvement, after careful consideration of multiple factors that affected student learning. The measure implemented produced changes at the school level, among the children, families, teachers and the educational community. Teachers were also faced with playing new roles. We conclude the existence of implications to the teachers at employment, collaboration and live together levels.