2019-04-09 21:03 update: 2019-04-13, 11:31
Photo PAP/Paweł Supernak
I appeal for all teachers to be able to take part in school exams, and thus enable students to sit them, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in an interview for Poland's TVP Info public news channel on Tuesday.
Morawiecki said the government realised that not all the teachers' problems have been resolved, but observed that it had "offered a lot" to teachers.
"We haven't yet reached the end with resolving all the problems, but we believe we've really offered a lot to teachers," the PM said.
Morawiecki said Poland's finances did not permit further concessions to teachers, and pointed out that teacher wages had risen by PLN 1,136 (EUR 265) since 2017. Commenting on the government's latest proposal for teachers, Morawiecki said it involved more pay for more working hours.
Asked how long he thought it would take to resolve the current problems in education, Morawiecki said he wanted this to happen "rather soon," and observed that such matters needed a systemic approach. He added that he would prefer the strike to be suspended for the exam period, and for teacher problems to be discussed in round-table talks with the government after the exams.
Government officials and teachers' unions met at the 'Dialogue' centre in Warsaw at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss ways of ending a Monday-launched nationwide strike in Polish schools. On Sunday, the government signed an agreement in the matter with the teachers' branch of the Solidarity Union. The Polish Teachers' Union (ZNP) and the Trade Union Forum declined to sign the agreement.
Also today, the two unions rejected the government's proposals and upheld their decision to continue the strike.
Lower secondary school (gimnazjum) final exams are to take place on April 10-12 and primary school final exams on April 15-17. Matura exams (secondary school final exams) required to start university-level education are to begin on May 6. (PAP)
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