1. POLISH SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN 2016

2. According to Polish Constitution:
Every person has the right to education
Education is compulsory until the age of 18
Education in public schools is free of charge
Parents are free to choose schools other than public ones for their children
Public authorities provide citizens with general and equal access to education

3. The system of education is centrally managed by two institutions: the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

4. There are public and non-public schools in Poland
There are public and non-public schools in Poland. Approximately, 95% Polish students at the compulsory schooling age attend public schools providing free education within the core curriculum 4

5. EDUCATIONAL STAGES

6. EARLY CHILDCHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) consists of two stages for two age groups that are provided with different settings
Children aged 0-3
Children aged 3-6
Cèrches (żłobki)
Kids clubs (kluby dziecięce)
Kindergarten (przedszkola)
Pre-school classes in primary schools (oddziały przedszkolne w szkołach podstawowych)

7. Crèches and kids clubs formally do not belong to the system of education and are optional and determined by parents.

8. Kindergartens and other pre-school institutions are part of the system supervised by the Ministry of National Education. Pre-school education is optional for children aged 3-5 years, but compulsory for 6-year-olds (since this year).

10. Stages in compulsory education
Duration
Age of pupils
Kindergarten
1 year
6* (5)**
Primary school
6 years
7-13* (6-12)**
Lower secondary school / middle school/ junior high school
3 years
13-16* (12-15)**
* since this year and before 2011
** between 2011 and 2015

11. PRIMARY SCHOOL

13. LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL

15. Non-compulsory education
Type of school
Duration
Age of pupils
General upper secondary school / senior high school
3 years
16-19* (15-18)**
Technical upper secondary school
4 years
16-20* (15-19)**
Basic vocational school
Post-secondary (non-tertiary) school
1-2.5 years
19-21* (18-20)**
Tertiary education, e.g. universities
e.g. 5 years (can be divided into 3 years + 2 years)
21 and older
* since this year and before 2011
** between 2011 and 2015

17. SCHOOL YEAR , SUBJECTS AND THE ASSESSMENT
The school year comprises around 180 days, from September to June, and is divided into two semesters/terms. The compulsory subjects are in general spread over five weekdays.

18. The number of pupils in the class is not always the same everywhere
The number of pupils in the class is not always the same everywhere. However it is recommended that it should not exceed 25.

19. In a typical Polish school, classes start at 8. 00 am
In a typical Polish school, classes start at 8.00 am. Depending on the stage of education, school finishes at pm.

20. Compulsory subjects at particular educational stages:
Primary education is divided into two cycles: Stage 1: grades 1-3 and Stage 2: grades 4-6.
In the grade 1-3 one teacher, who is also a class tutor, teaches all subjects (integrated teaching) while in the grades 4-6 subjects are taught by different teachers.

21. The subjects taught at the second stage are the following: Polish language, History and civics, modern foreign language (mostly English), Mathematics, Science, Music, Art, Technology, Computer classes, Physical Education, lessons with class tutor, and Religious Education (optional).
In the lower secondary school pupils study: Polish language, History, Civic Education, two modern foreign languages (one of which is mostly English), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Art, Music, Technology, IT, Education for Safety, PE, lessons with class tutor, and Religious Education (optional).

22. At the end of the 3-year lower secondary school pupils are obliged to take the external examination that consists of three parts: humanities, mathematics and science and a modern foreign language. The results of the examination together with the final assessment determine admission to upper secondary school.  
In upper secondary school the subjects are similar to those in lower secondary school. The difference is in the level of advance. At the end of the 3- year upper secondary school the majority of pupils take the external matriculation examination that consists of written and oral parts. If passed, it entitles pupils for admission to higher education.

23. Assessment In years 1-3 of primary education the assessment is descriptive. Starting with the second stage of the primary education pupils are given marks according to the 6-1 scale:
GRADING SYSTEM:
6 - excellent
5 - very good
4 - good
3 - satisfactory
2 - acceptable
1 – unsatisfactory

24. The assessment consists in examining the knowledge and skills level throughout the school year. It is carried out mainly on the basis of regular written and oral tests. Pupils who obtain unsatisfactory results often repeat a year. Those who obtain very good and excellent results graduate with distinction marked on their report card.  

25. Educational system in Poland is still changing and every year brings something new. We hope the “new” will be “better”, too. Both for our students and us ;)

26. THANK YOU