THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN POLAND

Pre-school institutions (pre-primary education)

Primary schools

Lower and upper secondary education

Post-secondary non-tertiary education

Tertiary education

Comenius Partnership - <Education – a journey in time>

LegislationPolish Education System is based on the following

parliamentary acts: The School Education Act of 7 September 1991 The Act of 8 January 1999 on the Implementation of the

Education System of the Education System Reform The Act of 26 January 1982 Teachers’ Charter

The higher education system in Poland is based on:

The Act of 27 July 2005 “Law on Higher Education” The Act of 12 September 1990 on the Academic Titles and

Academic degrees The Act of 17 July 1998 on Loans and Credits for Students

Principles of Polish

Education System Creation of safe and hygienic conditions for pupils at

schools and other institutions Support of the family’s educational role

Adjustment of the contents, methods and organisation of education to pupils’ psychological

and physical abilities Care for particularly gifted pupils Wide access to secondary schools

Diminishing educational inequalities between particular regions of the country, and especially

between urban and rural areas Provision of career guidance to pupils

Adjustment of education to the labour market needs

The Ministry of National EducationCentral levelThe Minister defines: procedures for school admission, timetables, core curricula, rules for assessing and promoting pupils, requirement standards, organization of the school year.

Regional levelThe education superintendent - the chief educational officer at the regional level. He is responsible for general administration of education in a given region.

District levelPowiat - an administrative unit between the region and the commune. Powiaty exercise administrative control over upper secondary schools, post-secondary schools and public special schools.

Local levelCommune –responsible for running the pre-school institutions, primary schools and lower secondary schools (junior high schools).

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

School heads – recruited on the basis of an open competition for 5 years.

Their duties are: management of the school, representing it externally, pedagogical supervision, implementation of the resolutions, proper use of the financial means, organization and implementation of the tests and examinations.

A pedagogical council - a collegial body concerned with the implementation of statutory tasks related to education and care (approval of the school action plan, issuing opinions on organization of school activities).

Parents’ council - issues opinions on the programmes, timetables and the financial plan proposed by the school head.

Pupils’ self-government - operates in schools and is established by all pupils in a given school.

Higher education institutions - are autonomous in all areas of their operation, subject to rules laid down in the Act “Law on Higher Education,” single-person authorities – rectors (supreme single-person authorities), deans and collective bodies – senates and councils.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

•organizational •administrative

•financial (commune, district or regional self-government authorities)

pedagogical(superintendents )

supervision

Central Examination Commission and 8 Regional Examination Commissions – responsible for the measurement of educational achievements and the partial assessment of school performance

EXTERNAL STANDARDIZED TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS

TEST at the end of PRIMARY

SCHOOL (age 13) - general,

obligatory test with no selection

function

EXAMINATION at the end of the 3-year LOWER

SECONDARY SCHOOL (age 16) – general, obligatory

examination

MATURA EXAMINATION (secondary school leaving examination) at the

end of the 3-year UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL and

TECHNICAL SCHOOL (age 19/20)– general, not obligatory

EXTERNAL STANDARDIZED

VOCATIONAL EXAMINATION at the end

of VOCATIONAL and TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Quality in Higher Education

STATE ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE (SAC)

• assessing the quality of education

• reviewing applications for the establishment of higher

education institutions

THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION

• issues opinions on legal regulations and proposal of the

state budget • distributing state subsidy to the

higher education institutions

FINANCING

State schools – general subsidy from the State Budget

Non-public schools (civic, church or private) – fees and other funds

Higher Education Institutions – State Budget (public) or fees and additional funds (private)

(16902 institutions)

Kindergartens(3-6 years old)

Pre-primary classes attached to

primary schools (compulsory for 6-year-old children)

AdmissionThe enrolment in public kindergartens is provided on the free access basis. Most kindergartens work around 9 hours a day and are open 5 days a week. There are still not enough pre-primary institutions in Poland.

The main aim of pre-school education: Supporting children in the development of their talents and intellectual skills Development of social skills Care for children’s health and their physical development Building a system of valuesConstruction of children’s knowledge about the worldDevelopment of ability to present their own reflections

Payment – it covers children’s meals, extra lessons, and a so-called extra fee if a child attends the kindergarten for more than 5 hours a day. The fee is set by the commune.

Organizing the time Activities organized or suggested by the teacher Playing spontaneously in the classroom or in the garden

Curriculum involves:Teaching of basic reading and writingTasks that improve speech, visual and aural skillsAdditional activities such as foreign language classes

AssessmentContinuous observation of the child and keeping up-to-date records of his/her achievement and assessment of a child’s readiness for undertaking school education (pre-school diagnosis)

PRIMARY PRIMARY EDUCATIONEDUCATION

Obligatory for all 7-year-old pupils;

6-year-old children can go to primary school after 1

year of pre-school preparation (in 2012

primary school will be obligatory for all 6-year-old

pupils)

School year - max.38 weeks, min. number of

school days- 178

The beginning of the school year is on the 1st of September and the end around the 25th of June

(it varies)

General objectives of primary schoolDevelopment of:• the ability of self-expression, reading and writing, habits of social life • the awareness of one’s family, social, cultural, technical and natural environment • cognitive abilities• aesthetic and moral sensitivity of children and their creative abilities

2 STAGES OF PRIMARY SCHOOLThe First stage – I - III grades of primary school – integrated teaching (1 teacher teaches all the subjects)

The Second stage – IV – VI grades of primary school (every subject is taught by a different teacher)

AdmissionPrimary school is obligatory and free of charge. Children go to school intheir district.

Organization of timeLessons start at 8 a.m. and finish at 2 or 3 p.m. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes. Breaks last at least 5-10 minutes, but no longer than 25minutes. Pupils attend primary school five days a week, from Monday toFriday.

Curriculum Stage 1 (integrated teaching) - at least 18 compulsory lessons per

week conducted according to a flexible timetable prepared by the teacher.

Stage 2 – 24 lessons, 2 hours of religion/ethics, and additional classes or innovations

Subjects taught in Primary SchoolHistory and civics

Modern foreign languagePolish language

Mathematics

Natural sciencePhysical education

Computer scienceMusic ArtTechnology

Religion/ethics

Assessment* Partial *Periodical (semester) *Annual

Grades I – III – Assessment is descriptive and applies separately to educational attainments and behaviour.

Grades IV – VI – Marks: 6 – excellent, 5 – very good, 4 –good, 3 – satisfactory, 2 – acceptable, 1 - unsatisfactory

–Behaviour - the scale: excellent, very good, good, acceptable, unacceptable, inadmissible

External evaluation – an external standardized test upon the completion of the primary school (grade 6) checked by the Central Examination Commission.

ProgressionGrades I – III – promoted automatically if their achievements are

assessed positively Grades IV – VI - a pupil is promoted to a higher grade if he/she has

received yearly marks higher than “unsatisfactory” for all compulsory subjects

All public primary schools as well as non-public schools issue certificates in a standardized form.

A pupil completes the school year or graduates with distinction if his/her average yearly mark in all compulsory subjects is 4.75or above and his/her behaviour mark is at least very good.

SECONDARY EDUCATION

Lower Secondary Education

(Junior High School)* Age 13-16* Number of lessons per week - 31 hours * Aim:• to support pupil’s personal development and introduce him/her into active participation in the society • to develop pupil’s individual interests and social skills •To introduce pupils into the world of culture and art

Upper Secondary Education•3-year general secondary school•3-year specialised secondary school•4-year technical secondary school•2 to 3-year basic vocational school

* Age – 16-19/20* Aim: is to prepare young people for admission to higher education

LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION

Grades I – IIIAdmissionThe only admission requirement is successful completion of the 6 year

primary school and the attainment of the primary school leaving certificate.

CurriculumAll schools must respect the core-curriculum. Teaching at this stage is

arranged in subjects, taught by specialist teachers.

Polish language, History ,

Civic education, Foreign Language,

Mathematics, Physics and astronomy,

Chemistry

Biology, Geography, Fine art/Music, Technology,

Computer studies, Physical education,

Lessons with Class Tutor

AssessmentPupils are assessed separately in each subject. At the end of the 3rd year of

the junior high school there is a written standardized examination. This

examination checks abilities, skills and knowledge in the field of humanities and

science. It is compulsory for all pupils. It is taken into consideration while

applying to high school.

Grades I - III

AdmissionThe number of points indicated on the junior high school leaving certificate including the points received at the examination give the basis for a pupils’ admission to an upper secondary school.

CurriculumAll upper-secondary schools follow the core curriculum. Apart from the subjects taught in

junior high scholl there are some new and optional subjects: Defence Training, Philosophy, Education for Family Life, Cultural Studies and Enterpreneurship.

AssessmentStudents are evaluated separately in every subject. On completion of the 3-year

general upper secondary school pupils are awarded a school leaving certificate on

the basis of school results, without a final examination. It mentions the subjects

and the marks obtained at the end of the final year. It gives access to the Matura

examination or to post secondary education.

MATURA (Secondary school leaving examination)

An examination at the end of upper secondary education (except at basic vocational schools) – a new external national examination, which is compulsory only for receipt of the Matura certificate and to gain access to higher education.

The new Matura examination consists of :- a written part, prepared and assessed by Regional Examination

Commissions - oral examinations, prepared and assessed by school teachers. The Matura certificate is a document allowing the holder to apply for admission to higher education institutions.Obligatory subjects: Polish language (standard level), Maths and

Modern Foreign Language (standard or extended level)Additional subjects: Students can choose up to 6 additional subjects.It is required to score at least 30% from 3 compulsory exams (Polish

language, Modern language and Mathematics) to pass Matura.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT•School social benefit - allocated to pupils in difficult financial situation•School support benefit - can be granted to pupils who find themselves in a

particularly difficult situation for a defined period of time•School grant for good school or sports results•Prime Minister's Scholarship•The Minister's of Education Scholarship•EU Grants from the European Social Fund

VOCATIONAL UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

4-year technical secondary school 2-3 year basic vocational school

Practical vocational training - organized in the form of practical training classes at school or vocational placements.The vocational examination - held in two forms: written and practical. The examination is organized by the relevant Regional Examination Commission and aims at the assessment of students’ knowledge and practical skills related to a given occupation.

POST SECONDARY NON-TERTIARY EDUCATION• Post-secondary schools enable their students to acquire vocational qualifications at the level of secondary technical education • They are managed by units of the central administration, local self-government units, non-governmental organizations and associations• Education in public post-secondary schools is free of charge. In the case of non-public schools the bodies running the school define the tuition fee• The most popular specialisations are: arts, economics and administration, medical studies, technology, agriculture, forestry and fishery, transport and communication, services.

TERTIARY EDUCATIONCollege programmes

(non-public teacher training colleges, foreign language teacher training colleges and colleges of social work)

Degree programmes(provided by both public and non-public university type and non-university higher education institutions )

First-cycle programme (Bachelor’s degree) - the programme lasts 3 to 4 years and leads to the degree of licencjat or 3.5 to 4 years and leads to the degree of inżynier depending on the field of study.

Second-cycle programme (Master’s degree) - the programme lasts 1.5 to 2 years and leads to the degree of magister or an equivalent degree, depending on the field of Study.

Long-cycle programme (Master’s degree) - lasts between 4.5 and 6 years and leads to the same degree of magister or the same equivalent degree as second-cycle programmes.

Doctoral and post-doctoral programmes – last up to 4 years. They provide advanced knowledge in a specific area or discipline of science,

preparing students for independent research and creative activity.

Organization of the academic year* lasts between 1 October and 30 September in the following year

* includes 2 semesters of classes, winter and summer examination sessions, public holiday breaks and winter and summer holidays

College programmesThey are open to holders of an upper secondary school leaving certificate (Matura certificate). Applicants are also required to obtain a positive result in the admission procedure.

Degree programmes• universities • technical HEIs • agricultural HEIs• HEIs for Economics • pedagogical HEIs• medical universities/academies• schools/universities of maritime studies• universities/academies of physical education • schools/academies of art studies • HEIs for Theology • military higher education institutions • government service higher education institutions

Access to first-cycle programmes, leading to a Bachelor’s degree and long-cycle programmes, leading to a Master’s degree is open to holders of an upper secondary school leaving certificate (Matura certificate). Additional entrance examinations may

be conducted by HEIs.

AssessmentCourses end with an oral or written examination or a pass based on the work of a student during a course, including papers/essays or projects. A pass is usually given together with a mark. Passes are obtained on the basis of the assessment carried out by the academic teacher responsible for a given course.

The grades are as follows: excellent - 6, very good – 5, good – 4, sufficient – 3, insufficient – 2. Marks may be upgraded by 0.5 (“+”)

Students who have passed the final examination are awarded a higher education diploma which confirms the completion of a given type of degree programme and the award of a relevant degree in a given field of study.

Doctoral students are required to: attend courses, take examinations, conduct research and submit reports on the progress in research, prepare their doctoral dissertation and teach classes in a given organizational unit of their HEI.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ADULT EDUCATIONAND ADULT EDUCATION

Postgraduate studies, considered to be a form ofPostgraduate studies, considered to be a form of continuing continuing

education, organised by public andeducation, organised by public and non-public highernon-public higher education institutions, research units and by units of the education institutions, research units and by units of the

Polish Polish Academy ofAcademy of Sciences. Sciences.

Resources for continuing education in out-of-school forms Resources for continuing education in out-of-school forms can come from:can come from:

● ● State budgetState budget● ● EmployersEmployers

● ● Own income of studentsOwn income of students● ● European fundsEuropean funds

SPECIAL EDUCATIONSPECIAL EDUCATIONSpecial education comprises children and youth with developmental Special education comprises children and youth with developmental

disabilitiesdisabilities who require specialwho require special organisation of work and working organisation of work and working

methodsmethods. .

This education can be applied in:

General schools

Integration schools or classes

Special schools or classes

Individual teaching

There are 9 categories of disabilities:Visually impaired Hearing-impairedDevelopmentally disabled Long term illnesses Motor Disabilities Multiple Disabilities Socially Disadvantaged Behavioural Disorders

Threatened with Addiction

EDUCATION STAFFWho can become a teacher?

A person, who has higher education with a relevant pedagogical

qualification or has graduated from a teacher training institution (college).

Professional promotion grades:● Trainee teacher● Contract teacher● Appointed teacher● Chartered teacher

Teachers work 18 hours a week (max. 27) – lessons with students and 2 additional lessons (eg. for weak students). Teachers participate in various conferences, trainings, are members of special comitees and perform many organizational tasks.

„Education is not preparation for life;

education is life itself.” John Dewey

Webgraphy:

1. „The system of education in Poland,” LLP Publications: Warsaw 2010

http://www.llp.org.pl/publikacje-llp2. „Organisation of the education system in Poland

2009/10,” EURYDICE publicationshttp://eurydice.org.pl/files/Eurybase_EN.pdf

3. http://www.quotegarden.com/education.html4. http://www.gify.org/kat-141-szkola,1