Teachers’ salary raises promised by Tusk’s government remain low, sparking criticism over unfulfilled election pledges.
Broken Promises
High salary raises for teachers seem to be another unfulfilled pre-election promise from Donald Tusk’s government. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka expressed hope on Polsat News that this issue is “not yet closed,” blaming the “poor budget” left by their predecessors.
Budget Constraints
In December 2023, Tusk promised 30% raises for teachers. However, the 2024 budget shows only a 5% increase for public sector workers, including teachers. Nowacka pushed for a 10% raise, which is still far from the promised 30%. Even unions criticize the 5% raise as inadequate.
Nowacka acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the significance of teachers’ work. She expressed her intention to advocate for higher salaries but pointed out the need to consider the entire budget. “I wish we didn’t have to spend so much on defense, but we must,” she noted.