On 26 September, the meeting Thinking about Schools Today and the Challenges We Face was held at the Universidade Lusófona - Centro Universitário de Lisboa, with the participation of school/grouping directors from public and public schools, training centre directors and course directors from the university itself. The main aim of the meeting was to discuss the biggest challenges faced by schools and to explore ways in which schools and the university can collaborate to help improve teachers' professional learning processes.

During the meeting, the urgent need to reconsider teacher training models, both initial and ongoing, was emphasised. ‘Ongoing training is essential for empowering schools,’ said one of the participants. It was discussed that, with a new generation of students, educational needs have changed, which requires teachers and head teachers to keep up with this evolution through new pedagogical practices.

The importance of collaboration between universities and schools was discussed. According to the participants, training should not only focus on theoretical knowledge, but also include spaces for practical implementation and continuous monitoring, ensuring that teachers are always in a process of learning and transformation. These processes can and should be accompanied by research, which they argued should be collaborative and participatory. They also emphasised the integration of new technologies into the educational process, such as artificial intelligence, which is already starting to be implemented in some schools.

The lack of qualified teachers was also a concern discussed. With the growing number of teachers entering the labour market without experience or pedagogical training, the participants discussed how universities can help in this process by offering complementary training.

The meeting concluded with a promise to strengthen relations between training centres, schools and Lusófona University, with those present forming a learning community with the aim of seeking joint solutions to the challenges facing the education system. ‘Innovation and collaboration are key to preparing the teachers of the future’ was one of the final messages. Further meetings will therefore follow, with the next one scheduled for November.