More Than 2,000 Teachers in Portugal Called in Sick Last Week As Classes Begin This Week for Most Students

The wave of sick leave has raised concerns about staffing shortages at the start of the academic year. Education officials are monitoring the situation and working to ensure that schools have enough substitute teachers to cover the absences. The teachers' unions have not yet commented on the reported sick leave, but the development comes amid ongoing discussions about working conditions and pay in the education sector.