The start of the school year often brings significant financial burdens for parents and guardians, with expenses including school starter kits, insurance, parental committee contributions, lunches, and payments for school supplies. In higher grades, the cost of new textbooks adds to the strain. Despite these considerable outlays, school accounts remain empty, primarily due to substantial debts that pupils and their guardians owe.

A report by the National Debt Register (Krajowy Rejestr Długów, KRD) reveals that debtors owe nearly PLN 25 million to public and private schools. This debt is shared among 12,400 debtors. Among those in arrears are not only pupils and their parents but also companies that haven’t paid for classroom rentals, commissioned research, or training and courses in time.

The debt owed by pupils is also significant. Private schools alone are owed PLN 19.2 million, while the debt to public schools is much lower, at approximately PLN 5.4 million. The most severe issues are found in private higher education institutions, where 3,900 students or their parents owe a total of PLN 8.3 million. Public universities are also struggling, with a shortfall of around PLN 5.3 million. Additionally, centres organising courses and training face payment issues, with PLN 8.8 million still outstanding.

Researchers from the National Debt Register Economic Information Bureau have found that women hold the most considerable debts within the education system, accounting for nearly two-thirds of debtors with a total outstanding amount of approximately PLN 11 million. This trend is partly attributed to the fact that women are more likely to pursue education than men.

Regarding the age range of debtors, the highest arrears are found among those aged 26 to 35, with debts amounting to PLN 8.1 million. Following them are students aged 36 to 45, who owe approximately PLN 4.2 million. The lowest arrears are recorded among individuals under 25, with debts totalling around PLN 3.4 million.

The National Debt Register Economic Information Bureau's report on the financial situation of schools also included a statement from KRD President Adam Łącki.

"Consumers are responsible for 78% of overdue liabilities within the education sector, amounting to PLN 19.3 million, contributed by more than 12,000 debtors. The average debt per debtor is nearly PLN 20,000. However, schools, universities, and training centres are not only at risk from individual debtors but also from unreliable businesses. Companies owe over PLN 5 million, with the largest portion, PLN 2.8 million, coming from corporate entities, and a slightly smaller amount, PLN 2.5 million, from sole proprietorships," Łącki stated.

Source: Portal Samorządowy