After employees of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) took to the streets, the specter of protests by another professional group hangs over Poland. It's about teachers. Sławomir Wittkowicz, chairman of the Free Trade Union “Forum-Oświata”, indicated in an interview with “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna” that in the fall a protest action will be initiated together with the education Solidarity movement, which may ultimately lead to a general strike.
The education system is struggling with serious staff shortages. Long promotion paths and modest salaries mean that university graduates choose a teaching career less and less often, and current teachers decide to change their profession.
Trade unionists appeal to MPs
Teachers' salaries have been a topic of many discussions for a long time. In 2026, budget rates increased by 3%, which was called “valorization” by trade unionists, not a “real increase”. Increases are announced for next year at the level of forecast inflation, i.e. 2.5%.
- This is the salary that students want today. The amounts are impressive
Last week, the Polish Teachers' Union demanded that the Sejm immediately undertake further work on the citizens' project regarding teachers' remuneration.
This is how much teachers earn
“Fakt” checked the salary of a teacher with a master's degree and pedagogical preparation in 2026. A beginner teacher can count on PLN 3,000. PLN 948 net, i.e. “on hand” (PLN 5,308 gross).
The salary of a tenured teacher is not much more, because: 4 thousand PLN 58 net (PLN 5,469 gross). In turn, the diploma teacher receives 4 thousand PLN 691 “in hand” (PLN 6,397 gross).
- Do you want to earn over PLN 10,000? zloty? These studies are the fastest way to a high salary
The amount of teachers' remuneration is derived from the base amount for teachers, determined each year in the Budget Act.
