Until now, parents paid approximately PLN 150 for kindergarten (excluding meals); after the increase, they will pay approximately PLN 215. Children in municipal kindergartens are guaranteed a nine-hour stay. The municipality pays for five hours, while parents pay for the remaining four hours outside the core preschool education curriculum. Since 2009, the rate per hour has been PLN 1.80; from September, it is set to rise to PLN 2.63.
Head of the Social Affairs Department, Beata Sulska, explained that the increase in fees for services at municipal kindergartens was prompted by the nationwide rise in teachers’ salaries introduced by the Minister of National Education.
“This is a problem for all municipalities in Poland,” says Sulska. “The increases vary depending on the municipality; we are somewhere in the middle. Employing teachers is a municipality’s own responsibility. The ministry raises salaries, and the municipality has to find the money for the increases.”
Councillors will have a difficult decision to make, as they will decide in a vote whether to raise the kindergarten fee for residents of Bolesławiec. We asked several councillors for their comments on the matter. All assured us that they would study the draft resolution carefully and consult with their clubs and party colleagues.
Zdzisław Abramowicz (Ziemia Bolesławiecka) spoke in a personal capacity and sharply criticized the actions of successive governments in Poland. “The costs of the misguided actions of successive governments are continually passed on to citizens,” said Abramowicz. “I promise that I will give the kindergarten fees serious consideration; I will make the decision together with my fellow club members.”
Mirosław Sakowski (PO) recalled the mayor’s promise that there would be no increases. “This is too high an increase; I calculated it and it comes to almost 50 percent,” said Sakowski. “I already voted against raising municipal waste collection fees; now I need to consult with my colleagues and analyze the matter carefully.”
Piotr Hetel (SLD) stressed how difficult the role of local governments is. “All the responsibilities resting with the state are shifted onto local governments,” he said. “This is a difficult decision for councillors and a difficult choice for us. Especially when it comes to maintaining schools and kindergartens. I want what is best for the residents, but I do not know whether the local government can afford not to raise this fee.”
The vote on setting the fees for services provided at public municipal kindergartens in Bolesławiec will take place on Wednesday, July 6, during a session of the City Council.
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)