The Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation in Cabo Verde has temporarily removed 62 educators from their positions due to incompatibilities with their criminal records. These educators have been found to have convictions for crimes such as sexual abuse, child pornography, and domestic violence. According to the Ministry, these crimes are considered especially relevant for individuals working with minors and are therefore impeditives of contact with children.
The removal of these educators was made possible through a new automated mechanism for verifying criminal records, introduced as part of administrative simplification, digitalization, and interoperability efforts. Previously, the verification process was manual and conducted by schools. This process was time-consuming and limited, with the obligation to verify criminal records annually, but certificates had a validity of only 90 days.
The Ministry of Education has clarified that the 62 educators removed had convictions that the law considers especially relevant for those exercising functions with minors. These convictions include domestic violence, mistreatment, or crimes against sexual freedom and self-determination, such as sexual abuse, trafficking, and child pornography. The Ministry did not disclose whether these educators were already teaching in previous academic years.
The automated verification mechanism has allowed for the identification of these cases, and the Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, has ordered an immediate analysis of all situations. The Inspectorate-General of Education and Science (IGEC) will conduct a detailed analysis of each situation with urgency and determine applicable consequences, including possible dismissal.
According to the Ministry, the IGEC will verify the nature and effects of convictions or other decisions recorded in the criminal record, including the possible existence of accessory penalties, security measures, or other interdictions. The Ministry has emphasized that this procedure will be followed whenever the automated verification process signals an invalid criminal record.
The introduction of the automated mechanism aims to improve the verification process and ensure that educators working with children have compatible criminal records. The Ministry has highlighted that the previous manual process was limited and time-consuming, and the new mechanism will enable more efficient and effective verification.
The cases identified will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, and the Ministry has assured that it will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students. The removal of these educators is a preventative measure, and the Ministry has emphasized that it will continue to work to ensure that all educators have the necessary clearance to work with children.
Key points
- 62 educators in Cabo Verde temporarily removed due to criminal records
- Educators convicted of crimes such as sexual abuse, child pornography, and domestic violence
- Automated verification mechanism introduced to improve efficiency and effectiveness of criminal record checks
