2. According to the Polish
Constitution everyone has the
right to education.
The knowledge is obliged
between 6 and 18 years old.
Education in public schools is
free.
3. In Poland there are
following steps of
education:
Kindergarten
Primary Schools
Junior High School
Over Junior High Schools
Universities
4. THE KINDERGARTEN
A child aged 3 to 5 may receive pre-primary
education, which is not compulsory. All the six-
year old children have to attend either kindergartens
or pre-primary classed attached to primary schools,
as there is an obligatory “0”grade.
However, since 2009 there has been a new
regulation, which introduces the education of 6-
year-olds to primary schools.
In the year 2014 all six-year-olds will be obliged
to start their education in primary schools.
Thereby, “0” grade will be compulsory for all 5-year-
olds.
For the time being, it is parents who decide
whether their 6-year-old child should start the
primary school or not.
5. THE PRIMARY SCHOOL
It is divided for
2 steps (3
years each):
1. Classes I-Ill
(integrated
education)
2. Classes IV-VI
(second step)
6. Classes I-Ill
all classes are provided by one
teacher who is a form teacher
pupils are also taught Religious
Education and foreign language.
They also have Computer
classes.
7. Classes IV-VI
subjects are taught by variety of
teachers
There is one teacher who is the
form teacher
the subjects obliged for pupils:
8. Subjects at primary school
(2nd step)
Polish language
Foreign language
Maths
Science
Music
Art
TechnicaI Education
PhysicaI Education
Religious Education
9. After Primary School pupils take
a test in April.
The test is equal for every pupiI.
Children with special needs can
take a test on a special sheet.
The result do not decide on
finishing the school.
10. THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
This type of school has existed
since 1999.
Students of the school are aged
between 13 and 16. There are
following subjects:
11. Obligatory subjects in junior
high school:
Polish language
Foreign language
History
Society knowledge
Art
Music
Physics with Astronomy
Chemistry
Biology
Geography
Information Technology
Craft
PhisycaI Education
Religous Education
12. After Junior High School students
take an exam in April.
There are 3 parts:
• Humanistic
• Maths and Science
• Foreign Language
The result of the exam do not decide
on finishing the school but is
important in choice of the next school.
13. OVER JUNIOR HIGH
SCHOOL
Education in these schools is
not obligatory.
There are following types of
schools:
14. Vocational Schools
2 years of education.
Finishing gives the diploma of job
quaIification but only if a student
takes a vocational exam which is not
compulsory. If one doesn’t, he/she
receives only a certificate of finishing
the school.
Twice or three times a week
students do not attend regular
classes but a kind of a traineeship
15. General Secondary School
Education lasts 3 years.
After passing Matura exam a
student receives Matura
certificate, and can continue
education at universities.
If one doesn’t take the Matura
exam, he/she receives only a
certificate of finishing the
school.
16. Profiled Secondary Schools
Education lasts 3 years.
It is a kind of mixture of a general
secondary school and a vocational
school.
Finishing gives mature certificate
after passing mature exam.
However, in the year 2014 this type
of school will stop functioning.
17. Technical School
Education lasts 4 years.
Finishing gives the diploma of
job quaIification and mature
certificate after passing mature
exam.
18. UNIVERSITIES
Universities give 2 degrees:
- Bachelor degree (after 3
years)
- Master degree (after next 2
years)
19. Thank You for your attention.
Ewa Stępień
Małgorzata Takeuchi