An analysis of the Portuguese National Reading Plan: from the theoretical and programme framework to the local and everyday practice

Abstract

In Portugal, the promotion of literacy is mostly handled by the National Reading Plan (PNL). This is a governmental initiative launched in 2006 with the main goals of developing reading and writing skills and enhancing reading habits among Portuguese people, particularly among the school population. Some international organizations already characterized the PNL as a good practice, stressing its crucial contribution in creating a nationwide literate environment (ELINET, 2016; HLG, 2012). Considering the national and international importance placed on this Portuguese initiative, this text seeks at presenting and discussing the extent to which its main goals for the school context are being achieved. Data collected through interviews with teachers and librarians engaged with the PNL, plus a meta analysis of research conducted about this policy initiative, also allows: i) the identification of contextual variables that determine its development ii) to highlight the facilitating/constraint factors of its implementation, and; iii) the identification of the conditions for its generalization.