Poland lacks 15,000 teachers says education minister
Poland has a shortage of about 15,000 teachers, the education minister has said.
The previous Polish government said that over the next two to three years up to 100,000 teachers might have to be laid off due to the country’s demographic decline.
But speaking to Radio ZET on Tuesday, Barbara Nowacka, the education minister, said: "We lack teachers. We’re encouraging them with higher salaries to stay at school.
"There is no reason to fire teachers if there is a shortage of 15,000," she added. "Discouraging them by saying they will not be needed in the workplace is a nonsense."
The new coalition government has announced a 30-percent wage increases for teachers and pay rises of approximately 33 percent for entry-level teachers in an effort to entice fresh graduates into the public sector.
This arrangement intends to ensure that every teacher receives around PLN 1,500 (EUR 387) more in their monthly wage.
Teachers’ unions in Poland have long complained about low salaries, saying that their members often have to take on private students to make ends meet.
The low wages, they argue, also fail to attract new people into the profession, which means that the teaching profession is rapidly ageing. (PAP)
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