Portugal drops Saramago as mandatory reading in high school reform
The Portuguese government has proposed a major change to the 12th-grade literature curriculum. José Saramago's works will no longer be mandatory reading, marking the first time in years that the Nobel laureate's books are not required. The move aims to introduce more variety in authors and themes for students. Currently, pupils must study one of two Saramago novels: Baltasar and Blimunda or The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis. Under the new draft, schools can instead choose from other writers, such as Mário de Carvalho's A God Strolling in the Cool of the Evening. Camilo Castelo Branco will remain a compulsory author for the grade.
The proposal was announced on March 30, 2026, as part of a public consultation on essential learning revisions. The draft remains open for feedback until April 28, with possible adjustments before final approval. If implemented, the change could take effect as early as the next school year.
Educators supporting the revision argue that it will bring more contemporary themes into classrooms. However, the shift removes Portugal's only Nobel Prize winner in Literature from the core syllabus. The public consultation period runs until April 28, allowing teachers, parents, and experts to weigh in. If adopted, the new curriculum will offer schools greater flexibility in selecting texts. The final decision will determine whether Saramago's works remain optional or return to the mandatory list.
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