Teachers' union 'wrong' about layoffs under new school system: official

According to the Polish Teachers' Association head Sławomir Broniarz, some 10,000 teachers will be jobless “soon”.

But Education Minister Anna Zalewska said this was untrue and that data would be available between late October and early November.

She added that about 10,000 new teaching jobs would become available over the next two years.

A group of teachers and parents gathered outside the education ministry on Monday to protest against the new school system, but Zalewska said she hoped teachers and parents would engage in regular meetings rather than “street dialogue”.

Zalewska added that “huge changes” like the school reform need constant monitoring and improvement.

Students went back to school on 1 September, with classes officially starting on Monday under a new system of eight-year primary school and four-year high school or five-year vocational school.

It replaces a system of six-year primary, three-year middle and three-year high school.

The reforms have sparked protests over the past year. (vb/pk)

Source: IAR