Public Schools in Poland

For teachers with formal credentials and experience, public schools in Poland are great places to find rewarding teaching positions.

Though they rarely pay as well as the private schools in terms of cash compensation, the benefits they provide may more than make up for the difference in salary. Frequently, room and board are provided. And since public schools operate by the letter of the law, all of your social security taxes will be kept in order so that you qualify for all public health care benefits. Public schools are also more likely to help you arrange all necessary work visas and residency permits.

In Poland, as in other areas of Eastern Europe, public school teachers must somehow believe that less is more, at least when it comes to salaries. But Poland is as a good a place as any to make do on a small salary. Public schools pay about 1,200 zloty per month to English teachers. In some cases, your salary may be negotiable depending on your level of experience. The amount of money a school has left in its budget prior to your arrival may also affect what you’ll take home every month.

As a teacher in a public school you will be better exposed to a broader segment of the surrounding community than you would in the private sector schools. For many expats, part of the experience of living abroad, especially if you pick a smaller city or rural area, is getting involved in the local community.

If you are interested in applying for a position in one of Poland’s public schools, contact:

Ministry of National Education
Department of International Cooperation
Al. J. Ch. Szucha 25
Warsaw PL-00918
Poland
Phone: (02) 628-0461 or (022) 29 72 41, ext. 530 or 682
Fax: (02) 628-8561