EDUCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMSYSTEM

in POLANDin POLAND

EDUCATIONEDUCATION

The present educational system in The present educational system in Poland was introduced in Poland was introduced in 1998/1999.1998/1999.

Many changes have been Many changes have been implemented over several years implemented over several years concerning administration, concerning administration, financing, inspection, supervision, financing, inspection, supervision, guidance, teachers rights and guidance, teachers rights and duties.duties.

Educational system in PolandEducational system in Poland

Education is now compulsory from Education is now compulsory from 7 till 18 but there are some non school 7 till 18 but there are some non school alternatives from 16, including alternatives from 16, including apprenticeships. apprenticeships.

Pre-school educationPre-school education

According to the new Educational Act of 2002, According to the new Educational Act of 2002, pre-school education is treated as the first pre-school education is treated as the first level of the education system and is level of the education system and is compulsory for children of six years old.compulsory for children of six years old.

This education stimulates the general This education stimulates the general development and gives the primary reading development and gives the primary reading skill and basic mathematics.skill and basic mathematics.

Elementary school educationElementary school education

Pupils of 7-12 attend elementary Pupils of 7-12 attend elementary school, which is compulsory. school, which is compulsory.

Primary education is divided into two Primary education is divided into two cycles:cycles:

- the first cycle (grades 1-3) at which the first cycle (grades 1-3) at which beginning learning is offered,beginning learning is offered,

- the second cycle (grades 4-6) at the second cycle (grades 4-6) at which systematic learning is which systematic learning is provided.provided.

Elementary school educationElementary school education

Primary schools operate on the basic of Primary schools operate on the basic of general educational plan which determinies general educational plan which determinies the minimum weekly number of lesson the minimum weekly number of lesson periods of particular subjects. periods of particular subjects.

The main components taught at the lower The main components taught at the lower level of the primary school are:level of the primary school are:

- Polish language,Polish language,- social and natural environment,social and natural environment,- mathematics,mathematics,- crafts and technology,crafts and technology,- art and music,art and music,- physical education.physical education.

Elementary school educationElementary school education

In the lower grades one teacher In the lower grades one teacher teaches all subjects, while in the teaches all subjects, while in the higher grades each subject has higher grades each subject has a different teacher and usually a different teacher and usually pupils change classroom for pupils change classroom for each subject.each subject.

Secondary educationSecondary educationAfter completing elementary school pupils can After completing elementary school pupils can

choose different secondary education, which is choose different secondary education, which is free of charge. free of charge.

General secondary schools provide graduation General secondary schools provide graduation certificate of general education. Those who certificate of general education. Those who have passed the final examination called have passed the final examination called „„maturamatura” (maturity exam) may apply to ” (maturity exam) may apply to universities. universities.

Those who do not wantThose who do not wantto study at university andto study at university andthose who have not takenthose who have not takenthe „matura” examination the „matura” examination may continue their educationmay continue their educationin post-secondary vocationalin post-secondary vocationalschools.schools.

Vocational educationVocational education

Secondary schools of vocational education Secondary schools of vocational education prepare qualified workers and others with prepare qualified workers and others with equivalent qualification. They also provide equivalent qualification. They also provide general secondary education. The purpose general secondary education. The purpose of these schools is to meet the demand for of these schools is to meet the demand for qualified workers, and they also provide qualified workers, and they also provide young people with the opportuninty of young people with the opportuninty of acquiring secondary education and taking acquiring secondary education and taking the ‘matura’ examination.the ‘matura’ examination.

Post-secondary educationPost-secondary education

Students can choose post-secondary Students can choose post-secondary education. They are trained as education. They are trained as nurses, accountants, administrative nurses, accountants, administrative personnel for enterprises and hotels, personnel for enterprises and hotels, computer specialists, librarians.computer specialists, librarians.

Higher educationHigher education

After secondary school students can take After secondary school students can take higher education. higher education.

There are various types of higher education There are various types of higher education institutions in Poland:institutions in Poland:

- universities,universities,- polytechnics, polytechnics, - economic academies,economic academies,- agricultural academies,agricultural academies,- others.others.

Day studies in state higher schools are free of Day studies in state higher schools are free of charge.charge.

Public and non-public schoolsPublic and non-public schools

Pursuant to the Act on School Pursuant to the Act on School Educaton in force, primary schools, Educaton in force, primary schools, gymnasiums and post-gymnasium gymnasiums and post-gymnasium schools may all be public or non-schools may all be public or non-public.public.

Non-public schools are established and Non-public schools are established and administered by legal or natural administered by legal or natural persons, and public schools by persons, and public schools by public administration and local public administration and local government agencies.government agencies.

Public and non-public schoolsPublic and non-public schoolsA public school is an establishment whichA public school is an establishment which::

- provides free education within framework provides free education within framework timetables,timetables,

- recruits pupils on the basis of the general access recruits pupils on the basis of the general access principle,principle,

- employs teachers holding qualifications which are employs teachers holding qualifications which are defined in seperate legislation,defined in seperate legislation,

- implements:implements:

curricula which are based on the core curriculum for curricula which are based on the core curriculum for general education and, in the case of vocational general education and, in the case of vocational schools, also the core curriculum for training for a schools, also the core curriculum for training for a given occupation or a given branch of vocational given occupation or a given branch of vocational education,education,

Public and non-public schoolsPublic and non-public schools

a framework timetable,a framework timetable,

complies with the rules complies with the rules for pupil assesment, for pupil assesment, grading and progression, grading and progression, and for setting and for setting examinations and tests examinations and tests as laid down by the as laid down by the minister responsible for minister responsible for school education and school education and education,education,

offers the possibility of offers the possibility of obtaining state obtaining state certificates and certificates and diplomas.diplomas.

Structure of educational Structure of educational system in Polandsystem in Poland

Pre-school educationPre-school education

Elementary schoolElementary schoolAge: 7-12

GymnasiumGymnasiumAge: 13-15 years

Post secondary schoolsPost secondary schools

Post-secondary educationPost-secondary education

3-year specialised high school,3-year specialised high school, 3-year general high school,3-year general high school, 4-year technical secondary 4-year technical secondary

schools,schools, 2-3-year vocational schools,2-3-year vocational schools, 2-year supplementary schools,2-year supplementary schools, 3-year supplementary technical 3-year supplementary technical

secondary schools,secondary schools,

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION(elaborating educational policies

at the national level, coordinationother governing bodies, controlling

higher education institutionssupervised by this Ministry)

EDUCATION OFFICER

(educational supervision)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

(administration and financialsupervision)

SCHOOLS

Financing of public schoolsFinancing of public schools

National government (Ministry of Finances)

Local government(Municipalities, Poviat, Voivodship)

Schools