Teachers are a professional group that is significantly undervalued in Poland. They face low salaries, physically and mentally demanding work, and heavy responsibilities. Many people are unaware of these realities, often only hearing about the '18-hours-a-week work and two months of holidays.'

Of course, some teachers do not put enough effort into their profession or employ questionable educational methods. However, most are dedicated to their students' education. These diligent teachers spend time preparing for the next lesson after school, researching additional materials, and marking quizzes.

One teacher highlighted the issue of school trips in a post on X. With one week remaining until the end of the year and final grades already determined, it is an ideal time for both short and long trips. The teacher emphasised that these excursions are far from idyllic and argued that they should be paid extra.

What are the realities of school trips? Once again, perspectives differ. Some see only the benefits: a free trip, relaxation, and the opportunity to travel and see new places. However, this is an alternate reality where teachers are not responsible for the students.

It is not only mature high school students who go on trips but also younger children who miss their parents terribly, are afraid to participate in planned activities or aim to cause as much chaos as possible. Some teenagers bring alcohol in their travel bags, despite trip rules expressly forbidding it, even for those who are already 18.

A teacher, who goes by the nickname Jud_czyta on X, recounted the situations she had to deal with on school trips. She pointed out bluntly that expecting teachers to be ready for multi-day trips, essentially working 24 hours a day, is insolent.

"I came home from my most recent school trip at 7 pm, absolutely exhausted. One child brought an antisemitic sticker to Lodz, intending to leave it somewhere. Additionally, four boys were late to the assembly point at the zoo and arrived without offering any apology," Jud_czyta revealed.

The X user also emphasised that she constantly had to keep an eye on the pupils, reminding them to wear their seatbelts, walk in pairs, and behave properly on the pavement to avoid obstructing other pedestrians. She stressed that when the tour guide asked what the children liked best, some of them answered shopping. "In the shop, one boy bought non-alcoholic champagne and drank it straight from the bottle," added the teacher. While this is not forbidden as it is a non-alcoholic drink, the fact that it resembles champagne and is consumed within the shop has little educational value.

"School trips are not entertainment for us. They are hard work, much harder than teaching lessons. We must be constantly vigilant, with eyes everywhere, bearing a huge responsibility. I have no objection to one-day trips. However, expecting us to do this for several days without extra pay is insolent," the teacher pointed out.

Her statement sparked a significant controversy. Some internet users criticised the teacher, claiming she had chosen the wrong profession, while others defended her position, citing their own experiences with their children.

"I used to look after a group of scouts on weekend trips. Let's be honest – it's supposedly a 24-hour job, but there are moments of peace and enjoyment. It's no harder than working in industries like law, tax, consulting, or video game development, where deadlines loom, and the stress is immense. And this isn't just once a year; it's every month or during some intensive projects that last for weeks. Life is life. In summary: I am outraged by your outrage," another X user commented.

Others, however, show far more empathy and understanding of the realities of a teacher's work on school trips. They also recount situations they have experienced firsthand: dealing with a girl's epileptic seizure (her parents had not informed the school of her illness), listening to the same song for several hours, staying up all night at a child's bedside, or explaining to firemen why youngsters were smoking in their room setting off the smoke alarm.

Indeed: relaxation.