EDUCATION AND TERRITORY IN PORTUGAL’S INTERIOR: COHESION OR FRACTURE?

Abstract

By definition, qualification systems are designed to provide, in a particular territory, access to educational and training opportunities to respond to the needs and aspirations of people and institutions there inserted, contributing to human, social, cultural and economic development. However, in certain historical, demographic, social, economic and cultural circumstances, the existence of developed and very active qualification systems, in territorial contexts, can introduce dynamicsthat promote discriminatory fractures between people and institutions which consequently end by excluding territories themselves, when compared and related with other territories wherein such phenomena do not occur. This text intends to assume itself as a reflection on the qualification system(s) existing within Portugal and the tensions and consequent dynamics that they are introducing in the regions and in the country.