In this article I deal with the Polish discourse generated by academics facing a reform of higher education. My primary interest is to what extent their statement enables or disables emancipatory practice. I point out that the structure of academics' prevalent discourse in the face of education-factory reform makes liberation impossible. Furthermore, it contributes to the reinforcement of social inequalities. In conclusion I indicate the necessity of developing both a different discourse and practice, which might enable to overcome the crisis, yet at the same time enforce the redefinition and reorganization of educational institutions and of education itself.