Minister of Education has presented the main directions for the implementation of the state's educational policy for the school year 2025/2026: 

1. shaping analytical thinking through an interdisciplinary approach to the teaching of science and natural sciences and developing mathematical skills in general education.

2. school as a place for civic education - shaping patriotic, social and civic attitudes, responsibility for the region and homeland, caring for one's own and others' safety.

3. promotion of healthy lifestyle at school - shaping pro-health attitudes and behaviours, supporting pupils' physical activity.

4. prevention of peer violence, mental health of children and young people, support in mental crises, prevention of addictions.

5. promotion of digital hygiene and safe navigation on the Internet, developing the ability to critically analyse information available on the Internet, methodologically correct use of modern technologies by teachers, in particular those based on artificial intelligence, and the use of Integrated Educational Platform resources.

6. promotion of vocational education in primary schools and among employers, strengthening the role of vocational guidance.

7. developing interest in Polish culture and language among the Polish diaspora, to teach the Polish language in Polish communities.

8. supporting cognitive activity and the sense of empowerment of students by promoting formative assessment and activating methods in teaching.

On 6 March, the Minister of Education signed the draft regulations on the core curriculum for the subjects civic education and health education. Both will be taught in schools from 1 September 2025.

The main aim of the civic education subject is to prepare students for conscious and responsible civic involvement in a democratic society. The subject will build and strengthen patriotic attitudes of young people based on a sense of identity and pride in belonging to a community, care for the small and big Homeland, a sense of responsibility for its shape. At the same time, the subject is intended to shape openness and respect towards others, empathy and solidarity with others and commitment to the common good.

New health education subject

The optional subject of health education, which will replace the subject of Family education, will be implemented starting from the school year 2025/2026:

• in primary schools in grades IV-VIII
• in secondary schools: in general secondary schools, technical secondary schools and Stage I sectoral vocational secondary schools.

The main objective of the subject of health education is the formation of students' competences related to lifelong health care and the building of their own and their environment's health potential. The specific knowledge and skills requirements are included in 11 thematic sections:

1. values and attitudes

2. physical health

3. physical activity

4. nutrition

5. mental health

6. social health

7. puberty (only in primary schools)

8. sexual health

9. environmental health

10. internet and addiction prevention

11. health system (only in secondary schools).

The organisation of these classes will be similar to that of family education. The subject of health education will also be optional, i.e. parents or adult learners will be able to submit a written opt-out to the school head.

The classes will take place for one hour a week throughout the school year.

Qualification of teachers to teach the subjects

A consequence of the introduction of health and civic education into schools is the definition of qualifications for teaching these subjects.

A draft amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of 14 September 2023 on detailed qualifications required of teachers will be submitted for public consultation and inter-ministerial agreement later in March 2025.

The draft indicates that a teacher of the subject of health education may be a person who meets the qualification requirements like other subject or activity teachers, i.e. a person who has completed a master's degree in health education and has a pedagogical preparation, or a person who has completed another master's degree, has a pedagogical preparation and has completed postgraduate studies in health education.

According to the proposed regulation, the qualifications to teach health education will also include those of:

• biology, nature, physical education, family life education and psychology teachers,
• persons who have completed studies preparing to practice the profession of a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, nurse, midwife, laboratory diagnostician, physiotherapist, medical rescuer, or studies in the field of public health and have pedagogical preparation.

It has also been accepted that classes in the subject of health education will be able to be taught by a team of two or more of the above-mentioned teachers.

The Ministry of Education will commission 11 universities to provide free qualifying postgraduate courses for teachers to prepare them to teach health education, lasting 3 semesters.

Training and educational materials for teachers for the new subjects

Training courses for teachers who will teach the subjects: civic education and health education will be organised and conducted by the Centre for the Development of Education in Warsaw in cooperation with public teacher training centres.

The Centre for the Development of Education will also prepare digital educational materials (including lesson plans) for teaching and learning health education, which will be published on the Integrated Education Platform before the new school year.