# Polish education reform and teacher wage protests > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/polish-education-reform-protests > Updated: 2026-08-23T06:00:38.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 12. By mid-August 2026, the Polish education crisis intensified as teachers prepared for organized protests on August 31, coinciding with the start of the new school year. The Polish Teachers’ Union (ZNP) and the National Section of Education and Upbringing of NSZZ ‘Solidarność’ are mobilizing over stagnant material conditions, increasing workloads, and the “Kompas Jutra” reform. A critical demand remains the implementation of a citizens’ initiative to link teacher salaries to the national average wage, with educators noting they have fallen behind professions like nursing and policing. The sector also faces a significant staffing crisis, with over 15,000 reported vacancies nationwide. While Prime Minister Donald Tusk previously committed to accelerating legislation regarding teacher pay, the ZNP reports that the gap between educator compensation and the general economy continues to widen. Union representatives warned that the 30% pay increase implemented in 2024 is expected to be offset by inflation and economic conditions by 2027. Amidst these tensions, the Prime Minister convened an extraordinary government meeting to discuss the 2027 budget proposal, while also criticizing President Karol Nawrocki for vetoing related legislation. In response to these pressures, the Ministry of National Education has proposed amendments to the Teacher's Charter to address salary growth for beginning teachers starting in 2027. The proposal involves a technical adjustment to the indicator used to calculate novice educators' average salaries, increasing it from 120 percent to 122.7696 percent of the base amount. The Ministry noted that while higher wages were maintained through annual budget regulations between 2024 and 2026, this legislative change is necessary to prevent wage growth for beginning teachers from lagging behind more experienced staff in 2027. Projections suggest this change could raise the average gross salary for a beginning teacher to 7,078.65 PLN in 2027. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: Poland proposes salary increases for beginning teachers Poland's Ministry of National Education proposes amending the Teacher's Charter to increase the salary index for beginning teachers from 2027, ensuring their raises match more experienced staff. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-proposes-salary-increases-for-beginning-teachers ### 2026-08-19: Poland: Teacher wage concerns and emergency budget meeting Polish teachers express frustration over stagnant wages despite government promises, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds an extraordinary meeting to discuss the 2027 budget and credit rating outlook. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-teacher-wage-concerns-and-emergency-budget-meeting ### 2026-08-19: Polish Teachers' Union announces protest in Warsaw over wages The Polish Teachers' Union has scheduled a protest in Warsaw for August 31, 2026, demanding better wages and the implementation of long-term financial reforms for the education sector. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-teachers-union-warns-of-education-system-collapse-due-to-falling-wages ### 2026-08-19: Poland education reform faces criticism over curriculum volume and pay Poland's ‘Kompas Jutra’ education reform faces backlash as experts report a 20% increase in curriculum documentation and unions criticize proposed teacher salary changes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-education-reform-faces-criticism-over-curriculum-volume-and-pay ### 2026-08-17: Polish teachers to protest for wage increases on August 31 Polish teachers, represented by the ZNP, will protest on August 31 demanding a 15% wage increase and a system linking salaries to the national average wage. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-teachers-union-announces-protest-over-salary-demands ### 2026-08-12: Polish teachers to launch protests over wages and working conditions Polish teachers will launch protests on August 31, demanding salary increases linked to the national average wage and addressing growing workloads and staffing shortages in the education sector. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-teachers-to-launch-protests-over-wages-and-working-conditions ### 2026-07-21: Polish teachers push for wage hike after government offers 3% raise Polish teachers protest a modest 3% raise after the ministry sought >10%; a new salary‑linking system is being drafted but faces parliamentary delays. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-teachers-push-for-wage-hike-after-government-offers-3-raise ### 2026-07-14: Polish teachers rally and education ministry's Plan B after presidential veto Polish teachers' union plans a protest in Warsaw on Aug 31, backed by OPZZ demanding higher public‑sector wages, while the Education Ministry pushes a “Plan B” to appoint a student ombudsman after the president 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-teachers-rally-and-education-ministrys-plan-b-after-presidential-veto ### 2026-07-09: Poland cuts religion class hours, about 4,500 teachers lose jobs Poland's education ministry halved weekly religion lessons, cutting teacher numbers from 27,393 to 22,876 and causing about 4,500 job losses, prompting criticism and a proposed bill to restore lessons. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-cuts-religion-class-hours-about-4500-teachers-lose-jobs ### 2026-07-01: Polish teachers' union to protest in Warsaw on Aug. 31 over pay Poland’s teachers’ union plans a 31 Aug protest in Warsaw, demanding higher pay and urging PM Donald Tusk to honor promises on salary reform. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-teachers-union-to-protest-in-warsaw-on-aug-31-over-pay ### 2026-06-26: Polish Minister of Education Faces 200,000-Petition Pushback Over Sexual Education Over 200,000 Poles submitted four petitions to the Education Ministry demanding parental rights, stopping compulsory sex education, keeping religion classes, and seeking Minister Nowacka's resignation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-minister-of-education-faces-200000-petition-pushback-over-sexual-education ### 2026-06-07: Polish Parents and Teachers Plan Nationwide Protest Against Education Reforms Polish parents, teachers and school leaders will protest on 14 June in Warsaw against Ministry of Education reforms that cut curricula, mandate health education and introduce gender concepts, accusing Minister 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-parents-and-teachers-plan-nationwide-protest-against-education-reforms --- Cite as: Polish education reform and teacher wage protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/polish-education-reform-protests