At the beginning of Tuesday's government meeting, Prime Minister Tusk announced that an agreement had been reached with teachers regarding the so-called overtime hours.
The issue of remuneration for overtime hours is one of the most pressing problems among teachers. Educators complain that they do not receive payment for being ready to work if the class does not show up for lessons (because it is on a trip, at the theater or is playing truant).
The amendment to the Teacher's Charter, which is effective from September 1, 2025, introduced new regulations regarding teachers' right to remuneration for overtime hours.
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Formerly teachers received remuneration for overtime hours, even if classes were not held for reasons beyond their controlsuch as a class going on a field trip. Currently, such situations do not guarantee remuneration and teachers must work off it.
“The rule is that remuneration is due for work performed, i.e. for assigned and completed teaching, educational or care activities.. At the same time, two exceptions are provided for, in which the teacher retains the right to remuneration despite not completing these hours,” we read in the announcement of the Ministry of National Education, which was issued last week and infuriated teachers.
In the community, such hours were called “basi hours” after the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, and teachers began to cancel school trips en masse in solidarity with their colleagues who are left without money during such a trip.
Donald Tusk got involved in the matter last week. The Prime Minister met with teachers' representatives to solve the problem that occurred in many schools.
During the government meeting, he announced that the draft changes in this matter had already been submitted to the Sejm. He added that he hoped that the Marshal would start working on the regulations without unnecessary delay.
— Overtime hours will be paid in accordance with the principle of readiness to work, said the head of government.
