“School Means Nothing to me”. Vocationalism and School Disaffiliation in Education and Training Courses in Portugal

Education and Training Courses for young people have assumed great relevance in the Portuguese education system. Aimed at fighting school failure and dropout these courses fall within the compensatory education framework policies. Based on interviews, an analysis of the students attending Education and Training Courses, school pathways, experiences and representations on how this form of provision was achieved. Data collected pointed to a general feeling of disaffiliation towards school, seen as a necessary evil, as well as the understanding of Education and Training Courses as the last chance to conclude the 9 th year of basic education.