The increasing tension in Polish education reaches a critical point. The Association of Polish Teachership (ZNP) confirmed the date of the nationwide protest, which is to respond to the government's unfulfilled promises and the deficiency of systemic remuneration solutions. Despite the fresh revision of the Teacher's Charter, the educational community feels ignored on key issues. The date of the demonstration was set for 1 September 2025 – a symbolic day starting the school year. It is simply a clear signal that teachers' patience is exhausted, and the fight for decent wages and respect for the profession is entering a decisive phase. The protest is to be held in Warsaw under the heading "Citizen's Lesson. Subject: Education is the most important!” and gather not only educators, but besides parents and representatives of social organizations, which shows the scale of increasing discontent.
No, it's not enough. What are the pedagogues truly fighting for?
Although amended on 25 July The teacher's cards have introduced any expected changes, for many educators they are just a cosmetic that does not solve fundamental problems. As of September 1, 2025, the trial period for beginners will be shortened from 2 years to a year, alleged black hours have been abolished and the right to pay for outstanding overtime guaranteed. These are steps in the right direction, but, as the ZNP emphasizes, they do not contact the heart of the problem – systemic underfinancing of education and low wages.
Urszula Woźniak, vice president of the Association of Polish Teachers, openly admits that although the 30% increase in early 2024 was noticeable, it did not change the dramatic financial situation of many teachers. "No 1 remembers from what level we started," he points out, recalling that the starting teacher's wage was inactive lower than the statutory minimum wage. This is an unacceptable situation in the assessment of the NPA and requires immediate legislative intervention and not immediate action.
Frustration is compounded by gross wage imbalances. Traders give concrete examples, like the 1 from Warsaw, where help a teacher without a higher education can gain more than a certified teacher with many years of experience and full work for the teaching process. This proves that the current compensation strategy does not appreciate qualifications and experience, which demotivates the staff and threatens the quality of Polish education.
Key demand: linking wages to the national average
The main and unchanging request of the Association of Polish Teachers is permanent link between teacher salaries and average wage in the national economy. According to trade unionists, this is the only solution that can supply financial stableness and free the salaries of educators from cyclical political decisions. ZNP recalls that specified a solution was to be implemented on the basis of promises made by the Prime Minister in 2023, but has not yet been implemented.
The current system, based on yearly negotiations and political will, is unpredictable and recognised by teachers. It does not reflect the rising cost of surviving or the tremendous work of the educational staff. "We want to gain decently and stablely, not fight for all rise on the occasion of changes in government" is simply a voice that is heard louder and louder throughout the environment.
The deficiency of a strategy solution has real, negative consequences. More and more young, capable graduates quit their schoolwork for better paid jobs, and experienced teachers, discouraged by deficiency of prospects, decide to quit early. ZNP warns that without major changes the Polish education strategy is threatened by a collapse of staffwhich will reflect on the level of teaching and the future of future generations.
Ultimate and a circumstantial date. What will the protest look like?
The Association of Polish Teachership is no longer going to wait. The protest ambulance announced on 24 June is maintained and the patience of the environment is ending. Although the ultimatum had put the government in place by August 25, concrete, large-scale actions were already planned to put force on the rulers. The main point of this strategy is the nationwide demonstration in the capital.
The picket was scheduled 1 year in advance to give the government time to react, but at the same time shows the teachers' determination. Here are the key details of the protest:
- Date: September 1, 2025 (Monday)
- Time: 12:00
- Place: Warsaw, in front of the Ministry of Education and discipline at 25 Szucha.
- Password: "Citizen's Lesson. Subject: Education is the most important!”
In the demonstration, alongside teachers and educational staff, they are to participate parents' representatives, educational social organisations and educational leaders. This is to express solidarity and common concern for the future of the Polish school. The choice of date – 1 September – is highly symbolic. On the day students return to schools, teachers want to remind the full society and decision makers that without decent working conditions and pay there is no high-quality education.
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ZNP confirms. Teachers will go out on the streets on an crucial day for Poles!
