The evaluation of primary and secondary geography education in Portugal: Curriculum, methods and technologies

Portugal, a member of European Union, has taken important steps in the field of education thanks to its high level of welfare provided by the social, cultural and economic development coming from its past. In Portugal, the education is generally managed by the Ministry of Education and Science. In addition, in places apart from the capital, there are different authorized bodies and organizations included in the Ministry of Education and Science. In Portugal, an academic year that lasts 180 days in average in primary and secondary education, is given in three periods. This prevents the students from remaining separate from the school for a long time, and helps them keep their motivations on lessons high. Even though the geographical sciences in Portugal, has a rooted structure, yet it is not at the desired level at the present time. One of the most important reason of this, is economic problems, and another important reason is that; new school buildings are not needed due to the stability in population. Because of the economic crisis, the geographical sciences in Portugal, cannot be taught as a lesson in the modern sense. It is not possible to Access modern lesson materials and thus, the geography cannot go beyond traditional patterns. Again, due to the overpopulation of elders and because the population growth rate is very low; school buildings are generally composed of old structures and so, the construction of new buildings, is not required. One of the major obstacles standing before the geographical sciences is that; the geography lessons in primary education are given for only a couple of hours in a week. Another significant obstacle is that; history and geography teachers receive their formation education together. Geography teachers try to solve the problems they face regarding the Geographic Education, by means of Portuguese Association of Geography Teachers. Key Words: Geography Education, Primary and Secondary Schools, Portugal.