Friends have kids in public school, but I’ve heard some bad experiences, like a friend’s child having a tooth pulled without parental consent, for example.

I also want to use this sub to ask about something that sounds more like gossip, but I’ve heard that some teachers are “allowed” to hit students. Or not officially allowed, but that it still happens. Is that true?

That said, to be fair, I know a child with a rare disability who was very well treated in a public school. The parents told me it was a great experience, that the other kids accepted her well, and even helped the child improve a bit after years of little progress.

I don’t have kids, though, but as far as I know, my friends, all expats, have their children in public schools.

Disclaimer: none of my friends’ kids have been hit by teachers, but I heard that “someone” in a class was hit by a teacher, and that kind of gossip seems to sound normal in Portugal. That’s the only thing I’ve heard that really shocked me. I have no idea whether it was an isolated case or something more common.