before the new school year
(an interview with the headmaster of Primary School No. 3, Lesław Kasprzycki, MA)
- The new 1993/94 school year is beginning. What feelings accompany the headmaster at the start of the new year? Hopes, concerns...?
-Unfortunately, concerns—and even fear—prevail: how will the school cope with the unpleasant reality? There is no money for cleaning supplies, routine repairs, water and energy, waste removal, or even telephone charges. State budget funds arrive only for salaries, and even those are delayed in relation to taxes and ZUS payments. Interest has to be paid...
The School No. 3 building is not new and requires a major renovation. Among the immediate needs are replacing some desks and sanitary facilities. I do not know how the city will cope from January, when it takes this entire burden of schools’ needs upon itself
- And yet the school is operating?
- It has to operate. Parents and sponsors provide invaluable assistance to the school. Teaching aids, chalk and cleaning supplies are purchased from parents’ contributions and the sale of fundraising bricks. The school also obtains some money by renting out the gym. School employees carry out minor repairs, painting and maintenance themselves.
Last year, President Junik of “Modernbud” helped us greatly by renovating the stairwell, cloakroom and gymnasium, for a total value of 150 million złoty. The school was also assisted by Military Unit 4355, the MZGM care-taking facility, Teresa Skorupa from the “Kasztelańska” restaurant, and other kind sponsors. On this occasion, the school warmly thanks everyone and expresses the hope that the goodwill and assistance shown to it will continue in this difficult year as well.
We owe a great deal to MZEAS, and we regret that we will probably have to establish our own administration from 1 January 1994.
- How many pupils does the “third school” have?
- Around 600 pupils study at the school in 24 classes, taught in 15 classrooms. It is cramped, and there is a shortage of air conditioning /ventilation/ and proper lighting. We are pleased that, using environmental-protection funds, we will convert the old coal-fired central-heating furnace to a gas furnace.
- How do the parents respond to the school’s difficult situation?
- Cooperation with the parents is good—the parents are generous toward the school—but it is not difficult to notice that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to maintain their households and manage in general.
- Does the school have a full teaching staff?
- The staff is sufficient and forms a good, well-coordinated team. We are expecting a German-language teacher to join us. In my assessment, the standard of teaching is appropriate, as demonstrated by the fact that 100 percent of our graduates were admitted to secondary schools.
- Thank you for the interview, and I wish you success in overcoming these difficulties.