The research shows that around two-thirds of foreign students report no discrimination by teachers in their school environment, although experiences vary significantly by background. Overall, 55.7% of students with an immigrant background say they have faced some form of discrimination at school — a figure that rises to 70.6% among first-generation students.
Most reported incidents occur between pupils, with teachers involved in 35% of cases and non-teaching staff in 10.9%. Where discrimination is identified, it is most commonly linked to skin colour, physical appearance, and country or territory of origin. In cases involving teachers, students most frequently cite country of origin and skin colour, as well as instances of differential treatment or exclusion.
The study also finds that more than 60% of students who report discrimination by teachers do not specify the reasons behind these experiences. Among those who do report incidents, most say the situations occurred on more than one occasion.
Researchers describe the findings as “serious and potentially underestimated”, noting that emotional barriers may prevent students from reporting discrimination and that the survey was conducted in a classroom setting, which may limit disclosure.
While highlighting areas of concern, the research also points to institutional challenges rather than individual behaviour alone. These include uneven preparation for multicultural school environments, differing interpretations of legislation, and practices that may unintentionally hinder inclusion — such as restrictions on the use of students’ mother tongues while learning Portuguese.