The head of state - who taught for many years at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon -, began by recalling the "sometimes very difficult" conditions in which teachers work.

"Let's remember the pandemic, problems that they sometimes have in their lives, in their status... they have a lot of merit", he continued, reinforcing: "Teachers are the most important thing we have, together with health personnel, in the civil service".

"Everything starts in health and then continues in education", said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, guaranteeing that they are "fundamental to guarantee justice, equality, and progress in the country". Teachers are "fundamental" and complain "often rightly" about their conditions." A concern that the head of state, "as a teacher", says "he has always accompanied", despite the fact that this specific demonstration focuses on teaching basic and secondary education.

This is, however, "a very fair concern", concluded the President of the Republic.

The Union of All Teachers (S.TO.P.) called an indefinite strike, which started on 9 December.