Polish schools face noise, heat, and infrastructure challenges

A report titled ‘What is seen, heard, and felt in the Polish school?’ reveals significant challenges regarding the physical and professional environment in Polish educational institutions. Based on a survey of nearly 2,000 teachers, the findings indicate that noise levels in classrooms cause stress, fatigue, and headaches for 80.7% of educators. Furthermore, 83.2% of teachers believe that excessive noise leads to increased agitation and aggression among students, which can disrupt concentration and learning processes.

Environmental issues also persist, with 70.4% of teachers reporting that classrooms become too warm during the spring and summer months. Other concerns include poor lighting, inadequate air quality, and a lack of accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Beyond the physical infrastructure, the report and related discussions highlight professional difficulties for staff. In school common rooms (świetlice), teachers face extended working hours, often remaining on duty until official closing times regardless of whether students have already been picked up by their parents.