Thousands of Polish teachers protest in Warsaw

Over 12,000 Polish teachers from around the country protested in Warsaw yesterday. They demand pay raises, retaining beneficial retirement rights and refraining from introducing education vouchers.

The education ministry has already proposed a 200-zloty or 10% raise. The representatives of the Association of Polish Teachers, however, are demanding a pay rise of 50% or 600 zlotys for teachers in training and 1100 zlotys for fully qualified teachers.

Also, the teachers demand that the government give up their plans to decentralise the system of teachers' salaries.

If the demands are not taken into consideration Polish teachers will stage another protest during high school graduation exams in May – this time without a time limit.