Os estudantes universitários e o papel do Estado na produção de ensino superior

Abstract

In this article I present some results of the research I have done about the public/private nature of education and the funding of higher education, in Portugal, using the answers given by a national sample of portuguese higher education students to a questionnaire applied in 1995. Particular emphasis is given to the social origin of higher education students, both public and private universities, as well as their opinions about education and the role of the State and of the individuals in funding higher education. So, I conclude that students from public universities at the same time belong to lower classes than students from private universities and think that education is a public good that must be provided by the State. On the contrary, students from private universities question the public nature of education and argue for the need of a more important participation of individuals in the funding of higher education.