On Radio Zet, Barbara Nowacka, a Civic Coalition MP and the Minister of National Education, discussed the knotty task of calculating teachers’ pay and allowances tied to rural duties and overtime. She suggested that simplifying the rules would help and noted that a five percent pay rise was being discussed for the coming year.
The education minister commented on the planned increases for teachers, and the group Solidarity Education voiced disappointment with the proposals.
Nowacka stressed that the current debates around pay reflect deep complexity in how salaries and allowances are calculated in different settings. She recalled past disputes, including calls for substantial increases during the earlier strikes, and noted that the government under Donald Tusk has moved to meet some expectations. Pay scales vary widely, and a simplification of the rules would help ensure fairness across districts. The discussed five percent rise for the following year remains under consideration.
Suicide of a 16-year-old girl from Lubin
Nowacka commented on the suicide of Julia, a 16-year-old from Lubin who endured years of peer harassment. She described the tragedy as painful and dramatic, and she acknowledged the immense sorrow faced by the girl’s parents and loved ones. The Lower Silesian education inspectorate is examining the case in detail and has been urged to pay special attention to every facet. Peer violence is one of the ministry’s most serious challenges, with rising depression among youths and a sense of meaninglessness that can lead to despair. The ministry is working to make schools safer and more supportive, and stronger rules against hate speech, especially online, are being considered.
In related remarks, Nowacka noted that peer violence and mental health concerns require continuous, careful action by educators and policymakers. She emphasized that schools must be places that nurture young people and that prevention programs, counseling, and clear reporting channels are essential components of this effort.
Smartphone ban in schools?
When asked about the possibility of banning smartphones for children in kindergarten and in the early grades of primary school, Nowacka replied that there is no solid basis to assume Polish society and parents are ready for such a strict ban. Still, there is a strong willingness to tackle childhood addiction together. Kindergartens should remain analog, and the same approach should apply to early grades. Studies indicate that smartphone use does not significantly impair learning, but it can contribute to peer violence and intimidation of teachers.
She also noted a trend of fewer school closures due to flooding, with around thirty closures reported previously and roughly twenty more expected on that day as authorities continue to respond to weather events.
Various other topics tied to education and public institutions were mentioned in passing, including the broader discussion about how religious instruction is organized and how the church relates to public schooling. The remarks underscored the ongoing debates shaping Poland’s education landscape as officials seek practical solutions for students, families, and teachers.
These issues remain the focus of policy discussions among education officials as they work to improve conditions in schools and protect the well‑being of students.