Education Ministry got its sums wrong when calculating pay rise for teachers

Opposition politicians, supported by Freedom Union (UW), have accused the Ministry of Education of incorrectly calculating how much money should be transferred to local authorities to cover the promised teachers' pay rise. Many local authorities have had to withdraw from planned investments or take out loans in order to pay the increase. Education Minister Miroslaw Handke admits a mistake has been made, with local authorities receiving zl. 800 million less than was required. The Ministry has promised zl. 250 million from its reserves, but does not have sufficient funds to cover the total amount. Handke says the government would find the money, but he has not indicated if he is going to resign over the matter. (Gazeta Wyborcza July 15-16, page 3) A.D.