1. The system of Education in Poland

2. Types of schools

3. PRE –SCHOOL EDUCATION A child aged 3 to 5 A child aged 3 to 5 may receive pre – primary education, which is not compulsory. The age of compulsory education has been lowered from 7 to 6. The majority of pre – school institutions are coeducational. Parents‘ payments cover children‘s meals and extra lessons.

5. Primary education Public primary schools are free of charge. Primary educatin starts at the age of 6 and is comprehensive and obligatory for all pupils. At the end of primary school an external compulsory test is carried out. General education in primary schools is divided into 2 stages: 1. First stage of education including grade I to III – integrated teaching. I to III – integrated teaching. 2. Second stage of education including grades IV to VI. IV to VI.

7. Curriculum Stage 1 Compulsory education activities: Compulsory education activities: 1. Integrated teaching (reading, writing,maths) 2. religion 3. foregin language (English) 4. PE 5. Information technology

8. Stage 2 Compulsory education activities: Compulsory education activities: 1. Polish language 2. History 3. Foregin language 4. Mathematics 5. Natural Science 6. Art 7. Computer Science 8. PE

9. LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION Introduced in the school year 1999/2000. It is concluded with an external exam giving access to upper-secondary education. It lasts 3 years.

10. Stage 3 (grades 1-3) Compulsory education activities: Compulsory education activities: 1. Polish language 2. History 3. Foregin language 4. Mathematics 5. Physics 6. Chemistry 7. Biology 8. Geography 9. Art 10. Computer Science 11. PE 12. Religion

12. UPPER - SECONDARY EDUCATION 3 – year general/specialised secondary school it offers the Matura exam necessary for admission to higher education. 3 – year general/specialised secondary school it offers the Matura exam necessary for admission to higher education.

13. Compulsory education activities: Compulsory education activities: 1. Polish language 2. History 3. 2 Foreign languages (mostly English and German) 4. Culture Studies 5. Introduction to entrepreneurship 6. Mathematics 7. Physics 8. Chemistry 9. Biology 10. Geography 11. Defence Training 12. Computer Science 13. PE 14. Religion

15. Higher Education Tertiary education includes the following types of programes : College programmes:(3 years) - Teacher training colleges - Foreign language teacher training colleges. Degree programmes: - First cycle (Bachelor - First cycle (Bachelor ‘s degree 3-4 years) - Second cycle (Master - Second cycle (Master ‘s degree 2 years) - Long – cycle (Master - Long – cycle (Master ‘s Degree 5 years)

17. Assessment In grades 1-3: - The assessment is descriptive (applies educational attainments and behaviour) In primary and secondary schools: - 6 excellent, - 5 very good, - 4 good, - 3 satisfactory, - 2 acceptable, - 1 unsatisfactory.

18. EXTRA FACTS Compulsory education is free of charge, Compulsory education is free of charge, Teachers choose curriculum and a textbook at every level, Teachers choose curriculum and a textbook at every level, Compulsory education:age 5-18, Compulsory education:age 5-18, Organisation of time Organisation of time - 5 days a week (Monday – Friday), - School starts 8:00, finishes 16:00, - Lessons last : 45 minutes, - Breaks :10 minutes, - Lunch breaks: 20 minutes.