Polish Education Ministry proposes flat-rate payments for teachers on school trips

On March 10, 2026, the Ministry of National Education presented a proposal to introduce flat-rate compensation for teachers participating in school trips. The new solution aims to systemically regulate the issue of remunerating educators for supervising students outside the school premises, which previously lacked a unified legal framework. The planned allowance is to be differentiated and dependent on the duration of the trip, including separate rates for one-day trips and two- or three-day trips. Although the flat-rate concept was already presented during a meeting of the working group on teacher remuneration, the ministry has not yet specified the exact amounts teachers would receive. Consultations are currently underway with the Ministry of Finance to determine the final financial shape of the project.

The planned changes also assume significant modifications in the organization and documentation of teachers' professional activity. The Ministry of National Education intends to introduce an obligation to record working hours, which is to allow for precise settlement of hours spent supervising students during educational trips. Simultaneously, the ministry proposes extending the settlement period to 4–6 months, which is intended to make it easier for school principals to manage staff working time over an entire semester. Such a solution would allow for balancing more intensive trip periods with days of lighter teaching loads in other months. The issue of remunerating teachers for school trips has been legally controversial for years, as the Teacher's Charter did not specify the rules for paying for round-the-clock supervision of students. Previous attempts to regulate this matter often ended at the proposal stage, and teachers typically did not receive additional financial gratification for working at night or on days off during trips. The lack of clear regulations led to numerous disputes between employees and principals and diverse interpretations of the rules by individual local governments.

The ministry's proposals have been met with distance and opposition from trade union organizations participating in the negotiations. The Polish Teachers' Union (ZNP) expressed reservations about the planned extension of the work settlement period, advocating that this period should not exceed one month. Meanwhile, the Solidarity trade union for teachers announced total opposition to the solutions presented by the ministry, heralding a difficult legislative process. The situation is complicated by the fact that opponents of the changes may appeal for a veto to President Karol Nawrocki, who has been in office since August 6, 2025. The head of state has previously used the right to block amendments to education law, casting doubt on the final enactment of the government's plans.

Perspektywy mediów: The education ministry aims to systemically regulate pay for trips, which is to end a years-long legal gap and provide teachers with certain allowances. Trade unions and the opposition fear that recording working hours and long settlement periods will lead to excessive burden on teachers without adequate pay.