In the last school year, around 400 students from Lisbon, Moura and Figueira da Foz participated in the ComParte & Educação project, which began in 2015 with the aim of listening to students' opinions on what could be changed in schools to improve teaching.

The impact of human relations on learning was the focus of the meetings and debates that took place last year, during which young people reflected on teacher-pupil relationships and on the conditions for well-being at school.

"Teachers make a mark, they make a difference and the relationships established with them have an enormous impact for life", says the document made public on Wednesday at a meeting in Lisbon, which was attended by students and the Secretary of State for Education, João Costa.

"Short breaks in classes" is one of the eight recommendations of the "pros", a name given to students who are considered here to be the greatest specialists in education, because they are the ones who are daily in schools and for whom teaching is designed.

The duration of classes - sometimes more than an hour - makes it impossible to maintain concentration and students believe that taking a break in some subjects could be beneficial for learning, and also to improve the relationship with teachers.

"By the time we get back to the subject, we are more able to be attentive and we will make better use of what we hear. We get more motivation in the classes where we have fun with the teacher", they say.

For the "pros" it is also important that teachers and other staff care about them and are available to listen and talk to them.

Students believe that it would be beneficial to create a relationship of friendship and complicity that would allow them to talk about other subjects besides the subjects in the textbooks: "We like to be asked questions. It is good to feel that the teacher cares about our opinion of the world and about our lives," they admit.

Among other recommendations, students say that teachers should "take the best" from each student and should "believe, encourage and value" all students.

For the "Pros", valuing talents "can be just a comment in class or a conversation in the canteen, it can be a prize, an invitation, a challenge to be part of a school club, a question in class or even a compliment".

"Finding Out Beyond Labels" is the third recommendation for anyone who asks for "people at school to be available to talk to".

"Trust is the key word, the essential condition for opening our hearts. Relationships, however, need time. It is not suddenly that we share our deepest life, no matter how much willingness there may be".

Doing more together and the importance of the first lesson are the other recommendations.

"This booklet reflects on the role of adult-youth relationships in the success of education. It gives us suggestions on the importance of getting to know teachers and students well or on what the first lesson might be. Today, the legislation on the curriculum contemplates that schools develop instances of listening to students, which has been achieved with the election of students as assistant principals or the creation of advisory councils", defended João Costa.

Since 2015, more than 3,800 students have participated in ComParte & Educação and contributed with their experiences, recommendations and suggestions for a better education.