Higher education: an education for the Élites? The Portuguese case

Abstract

This article raises questions about the degree of equity of higher education in Portugal. It is based on research that the author conducted in 1995 and 1996. From diversified indicators, namely the academic level and social class of the parents of university students in particular, and the Portuguese population, the author concludes that, in general, Portuguese higher education is not equitable. Moreover, Portuguese university education can hardly be described as promoting the universal right to education. The author backs his conclusion by a determination of the spending of students and families on education and the large proportion that the sum represents in their total budgets. The article ends with some suggestions as to how to guarantee fulfillment of the universal right to education.