The Ministry of National Education has prepared a major amendment to the Act – Education Law, which assumes that teachers, educators and pedagogical staff should be given the position of a public official. This proposal aims to increase the legal protection of this professional group, as is the case with Members, Senators or judges. The fresh regulations besides have a crucial impact on the authority of teachers in public spaces and in the school environment.
What does the amendment of the Act imply?
The draft amendment was published 14 April 2025. in the list of legislative work of the Council of Ministers. The most crucial presumption is the formal designation of teachers, educators and pedagogical staff as public officers.
In the current legal state, teachers are not formally public officers, although in the performance of their duties they enjoy a akin protection government as they do. Giving them authoritative position will entail crucial changes – more severe penalties for violating the physical integrity of the teacher and for an active assault on him during his duties.
The task includes teachers employed in both institutions publicand non-public: in kindergartens, schools and another units governed by the Education Law of the day 14 December 2016
New rules in the Criminal Code
As a consequence of the amendment of Article 115 § 13 of the Criminal Code, which defines the list of public officials, it will be extended to include teachers, educators and pedagogical staff. This means that any offences directed against this professional group will be treated with greater severity.
First of all, for:
- active assault for a teacher,
- violation of physical immunity,
- unlawful threats,
They'll endanger Higher penalties I don't think so. specified rules apply present to police officers, firefighters or judges.
At the same time, it should be stressed that the fresh regulations will work both ways. While teachers are subject to peculiar legal protection, in the case of breach of their powers or infringements will besides apply to them stricter standards of criminal liability.
Arguments for changes
The Ministry of National Education argues that changes request to be made in order to increase the safety of teachers who are increasingly confronted with aggression from students or parents.
According to the ministry, the amendment:
- increase the professional safety of teachers,
- Raises the prestige of the profession,
- strengthen the position of the teacher in relations with students and parents,
- contribute to expanding social respect to this professional group.
It is worth noting that akin solutions already be for representatives of another public services, for which regular duties entail a hazard of contact with aggressive behaviour.
When will change take effect?
Ministry of National Education announces that the draft amendment of the Act is to be adopted by the Council of Ministers in Second 4th of 2025.
The exact date of entry into force of the fresh government has not yet been determined. However, it can be expected that fresh regulations will be implemented inactive in 2025, subject to the smooth moving of the legislative process.
Planned changes to education law, introducing the position of public officer for teachers, can importantly improve safety and strengthen the authority of this professional group. At the same time, they will increase the work of teachers to comply with the law in the performance of their duties.
If the task is adopted and enters into force, teachers in Poland will be subject to a akin level of protection as police officers, judges or government officials, which represents an crucial step towards improving working conditions in the education sector.
Read more:
MEN introduces changes: teachers equal to police and judges
