Poland’s Administrative Court in Krakow ruled on April 28, 2026, that schools can use educational grants for student transport if stipulated in their statutes.
School Transportation Eligible for Grant Funding
A school may allocate educational funding to cover student transportation costs if its charter designates this as one of its responsibilities, according to the Krakow Regional Administrative Court’s ruling on April 28, 2026. The case originated from a dispute involving a school in Rozkochów, but the issue affects numerous municipalities nationwide due to varying interpretations of regulations by local authorities.
Court Overturns Funding Repayment Order
The Administrative Court overturned a decision by the Self-Governmental Appeals Board in Krakow, which had upheld an earlier ruling by the mayor of the Babice commune (Małopolska province). The mayor had demanded the school repay a portion of its educational grant. Anita Pytel, the principal of the Public Primary School in Rozkochów, stated that the ruling is crucial for the school’s continued operation and averts potential closure.
Rozkochów School’s Future Secured
The conflict began in October 2025 when the mayor demanded the return of 195,000 złoty plus interest from the small, publicly-funded school operated by a private entity. The mayor argued the school was not entitled to use grant money for transportation.
Regional Audit Chamber Disagreed with Funding Use
The mayor based his decision on an opinion from the Regional Audit Office in Krakow (reference number WIAS.710.58.2024), which stated that covering student transportation costs with educational grants is improper. The Audit Office argued that transportation is exclusively a municipal responsibility and falls outside the school’s educational scope.
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