The Polish labour marketplace is witnessing an unprecedented crisis in 1 of the key professions, which was synonymous with prestige and stableness respective decades ago. Today, young Poles resign after just a fewer days, discouraged by conditions and low wages. The situation is inflamed by a recent, unambiguous government message that refused to raise, explaining another budgetary priorities. We are talking about teachers whose dramatic staff situation threatens to paralyze the education strategy from the next school year. The data are alarming, and the Polish Teachership Union announces nationwide protests, which puts the future of the Polish school in a immense question. This is no longer a silent problem, but an open confrontation, the effects of which will be felt by all – from students to parents.
A profession that was a symbol of prestige. What changed?
Even half a century ago, the profession of teacher was seen not only as a career path, but above all as a mission and vocation of large social importance. In the 1960s and 1970s, teachers belonged to a respected mediate class, enjoying authority in local communities, occupation stableness and decent earnings. Their voice was crucial and their work had a real impact on shaping future generations.
The '90s systemic transformation brought fundamental changes. beginning up to the marketplace economy has created new, much better paid and more dynamic career paths in the private sector. At the same time, teachers had to face increasing bureaucracy, overburdening responsibilities and systematically decreasing prestige. The fast improvement of technology and the change of social expectations made the old respect fade, and the profession ceased to be financially attractive.
Today, despite its fundamental function in the functioning of the state, the work of a teacher does not warrant either financial stableness or social recognition. According to manufacture data, The average remuneration in this sector in 2025 was around PLN 8,000 gross, which, compared to work and burden, is insufficient to attract and keep the best specialists in the profession. Paradoxically, many inactive choose this way from passion, but increasingly their voice is full of frustration and bitterness.
Record fast resignations. Young teachers flee schools
One of the most alarming symptoms of the crisis in Poland is the phenomenon of mass departure of young workers. As data shows Association of Polish Teachers (ZNP), persons under the age of 30 are only 5% of the full pedagogical staff. Worse still, even those who decide to effort their own strength at school frequently quit in evidence time.
“In Warsaw, we had a 'recorder' case, which resigned after a fewer days of work,” says ZNP. Union representatives stress that this is not an isolated situation. akin cases have been reported in many schools throughout Poland, including in facilities close Poznań. Young people, full of ideals and enthusiasm, collide with a brutal reality: low pay, large force and overwhelming bureaucracy.
The main reason is pay. The wage of a beginner teacher frequently oscillates within the minimum wage limits, which is grossly inadequate to the tremendous responsibilities and stress of work. As a result, a profession of key importance for the future of the country becomes 1 of the least attractive in the labour market, especially for those on a professional path.
Demographic bomb in Polish edifice. Who will teach our children?
The problem of fast resignation is just the tip of the iceberg. Polish education strategy faces a demographic collapse. From data Central Statistical Office (GUS) it appears that at the minute there are around 722,000 people, of which 511,000 are teachers. This is simply a decrease of 2.7 percent compared to the erstwhile year. According to ZNP, the vacancy is already over 5 000, and the problem is the most serious in Mazowieckie, Lower Silesian, Małopolska and the largest cities.
At the same time, the teaching staff is rapidly ageing. In 2023 alone, the percent of teachers over 50 rose by 6.5 percent points. The situation is so serious that in any industrial schools people work even at the age of 80. Experts are beating the alarm, predicting that By 2040, most of the staff in secondary and post-secondary schools will be over 50 years old. This raises the fundamental question: who will teach next generations of Poles erstwhile current teachers retire?
The government says no to increases. Teachers announce protests
In the face of the increasing crisis, the Polish Teachers' Union announced a protest ambulance. Teachers request salary increases of 10% since September 2025 and the adoption of a civilian proposal to amend the Teacher's Charter. This task assumes a link between teachers' salaries and average wage in the economy and would enter into force from the beginning of 2026.
The government's answer was fast and clear. At the end of June, Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka, asked about the anticipation of fulfilling wage demands, replied directly: ‘Unfortunately, no. I'm sorry. The budget is in the way it is. We have very large arms spending". This declaration sparked an outrage in the teaching community and became an inflammatory spark to exacerbate the dispute.
Consequently, the ZNP announced the organisation nationwide demonstration in Warsaw on 1 September – on the symbolic day of starting the fresh school year. If the government does not change its position, Polish schools can start learning in the atmosphere of protests and chaos, which will deepen the already dramatic staff situation and hit students directly.
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The government says no to increases. Poles leave the profession in bulk after a fewer days
