THE HISTORY OF POLISH EDUCATION
The Commission of National Education (Polish: Komisja Edukacji Narodowej, abbreviated
KEN) was the central educational authority in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, created
by the Sejm and king Stanisław August Poniatowski on October 14, 1773. Because of its vast
authority and autonomy, it is considered the first Ministry of Education in history and
an important achievement of the Polish Enlightenment.
The basic reason for its creation was that in Poland and Lithuania education was almost
entirely controlled by the Jesuits. Although the Jesuit schools were fairly efficient and
provided the Polish youth with a good education, they were also very conservative.
In addition, in 1773 the Pope decided to close down the Jesuit order, which could have
resulted in a complete breakdown of education in the Commonwealth.
The beginning
Hugo Kołłątaj reformed Cracow
Academy during the 1777-1780
The Commission was formally created on October 14,
1773. Its main organiser and chief figure was a Catholic
priest, Hugo Kołłątaj. Initially the body was formed
of 4 senators and 4 members of the Sejm, half of them
representing the eastern voivodships of the
Commonwealth (from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania).
The first head of the KEN was Prince Bishop Michał
Jerzy Poniatowski. Although the other members were
mostly magnate politicians, the factual creators of the
body were prominent writers and scientists of the
epoch: Franciszek Bieliński, Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz,
Feliks Oraczewski, Andrzej Gawroński, Dawid Pilchowski,
Hieronim Stroynowski and Grzegorz Piramowicz. They
were joined by Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, the
secretary of the King of Poland (and father of the
founder of the
DuPont company).
Although initially the KEN had to face strong opposition
inside of the Sejm, it was supported by both the king and
the Familia party, which gave it almost complete
independence.
Effects
Although the Commission only operated for roughly
20 years, it managed to completely change the shape
of education in Poland. The Enlightenment-based school
programmes and books influenced a whole generation
Prince Bishop Michał Jerzy
Poniatowski
of Poles. Also, although education was still far from being universal, it reached a much wider
group of people, including peasants.
The thousands of teachers trained in lay teachers' seminaries became the backbone of Polish
science during the Partitions and the generation educated in the schools created and
supervised by the KEN became the most prominent personalities of the Polish Uprisings and
of politics in Central Europe in the 19th century.
In addition, the 27 elementaries textbooks and manuals published by the commission laid
the foundations for Polish language terminology in chemistry, physics, logics, grammar and
mathematics. They were used by all prominent Polish scientists and authors of the 19th
century, from Adam Mickiewicz to Bolesław Prus and from the Lwów School of Mathematics
to the Lwów-Warsaw School of History. The guidebook to chemistry by Jędrzej Śniadecki was
used in Polish schools well into the 1930s.
It is often argued that because of the efforts of the Commission of National Education the
Polish language and culture did not disappear during the Partitions of Poland, despite heavy
Russification and Germanisation.
Polish Education during Second World War
After the military defeat in September 1939, all Polish territory came under Nazi occupation.
In the territories annexed to the Third Reich, that is Great Poland, Pomerania, and Silesia,
the Polish education system was completely eliminated. Teachers, professors, and the whole
intelligentsia were displaced or arrested. In the central region, called the General
Government, the Nazis permitted only primary and vocational schools with significantly
limited curricula, which had been stripped of all Polish content. All secondary and higher
schools were closed to Poles.
The most spectacular event in the destruction of the Polish education system was the socalled Sonderaktion Krakau. On 6 November 1939 research workers of the Jagiellonian
University and the University of Mining and Metallurgy in Kraków were invited to a meeting,
arrested, and taken away to extermination camps. In response, an extensive underground
teaching movement developed under the leadership of the Polish Teachers' Association,
which had been established in December 1939. In 1940 the Department of Education and
Culture was established to represent the Polish government in exile. The underground
movement supplied students with teaching aids and textbooks that were published by
underground publishing houses. This unofficial education effort spread through the whole
territory of the General Government, Greater Poland, Pomerania, and Silesia. The most
important center of these education activities was Warsaw, where the Poznan University
was operating as the University of Western Poland. Underground teaching appeared
in almost all secondary schools, even in ghettoes. An estimated 90,000 students attended
underground secondary classes, 10,000 were in illegal vocational classes, and 7,000 were
in the resistance's higher education classes. Nowhere else in Europe was underground
teaching as extensive as in Poland.
Jan Spring, the oldest teacher from
Underground Teaching Organization
Teachers secretly and illegally taught students at homes mainly Polish language, history,
literature, but also other subjects. There was shortage of everything - books, blackboards,
chairs, quite often the only book in the class belong to a teacher. The students used to write
on newspapers, documents and all available scratches of paper.
Nazi control exacted a heavy toll on Poland's education infrastructure. Between 1939 and
1940 about 9,000 teachers and 640 professors were murdered. Approximately 6,480
primary schools, 203 secondary schools, 295 vocational schools, and 80 schools for teachers'
education were destroyed or damaged. Almost all high school and university property was
destroyed or seized.
Where the Soviets controlled Polish territory in the east, starting in late September 1939,
education took on diverse forms. In December 1939 the Vilnius authorities closed the
Stephen Batory University. At the beginning of 1940 the new authorities nationalized all
private schools and closed schools managed by the church. New curricula, consistent with
the Soviet system, was introduced. Emphasis on history, literature, and geography was
significantly reduced. The teaching language depended on the local conditions;
in multinational communities, Russian became the teaching language. Many Belorussian and
Ukrainian schools were established.
Between 1944 and 1947, as Poland regained independence from the Nazis and the Second
World War ended, schools quickly resumed their activity. During this period all levels of the
Polish education system were plagued by shortages of buildings and teachers. In June 1945,
a Nationwide Convention in Lódz established the main principles of education, which were
closely related to political goals and principles.
The massive task of postwar education reconstruction emphasized the opening
of institutions of secondary and higher education to the Polish masses and the reduction
of illiteracy. The system of schooling was standardized, and attendance in an eight year
primary school was compulsory and tuition-free. Nursery school expenses were shared by
the government and parents. The state built dormitories and established scholarships. Young
people up to age 18 continued their education in secondary schools. Various types
of secondary schools offered basic vocational training, technical training, and general
college-preparatory education. Primary schools were unified, and the remnants of the 1932
Decree were abolished.
Due to the lack of qualified staff, new pedagogical lycea were established to educate new
teachers. The variety of teachers' training options satisfied temporary needs but
shortcomings in the area were noticeable for a long time. In 1945 and 1946 all Polish high
schools in the territory of the former Second Polish Republic were opened. New high schools,
especially in Lódz, Torun, and Lublin, with approximately 55,000 students, were also
established.
During the early post-war years, the curriculum was modified only slightly. In 1945 minor
changes in Polish language teaching were introduced, concerning knowledge of World War II,
social sciences, and working and rural classes. Teaching of foreign languages was commonly
introduced. In spite of the breaking of the concordat with the Holy See, religious education
in state or council schools was obligatory.
In January 1947, major ideological changes were initiated. Education was infused with the
principles of Marxism-Leninism. The educational system depicted the Soviet Union as the
country's main partner and ally, and learning the Russian language learning became
obligatory. Private schools were closed, and religious education was gradually eliminated.
Many educational institutions fell under government control, and many disappeared.
In 1948 the eight year primary schools were evolved into seven year primary schools that
were the base for four year lyceum or vocational schools. This change and workers' training
were the educational system's most important tasks. In 1955 about 90 percent of pupils
were taught in primary 7-year schools. Between 1949 and 1951 about 80,000 teachers were
involved in the education of 1,500,000 illiterates from ages 14 to 15. As a direct
consequence, illiteracy was virtually eliminated. This was Communism's single, unquestioned
contribution to Polish life.
After 1954, two-year vocational schools and four-year technical schools were established.
Industrialization drew much of the population to the cities. A decree of July 1958 mandated
school attendance to age 18. As a result, training schools were established at factories.
These schools were too specialized though and did not satisfy practical requirements. The
number of universities, polytechnic schools, academies, and specialized colleges was
considerably increased. The introduction of three-year vocational colleges, four-year
vocational colleges, and two-year master's studies, with the exception of medical colleges,
came about in 1947.
Some faculties (medical, forest, and agricultural) were moved to independent colleges. After
theological faculties were taken from universities and colleges in 1954, the Academy
of Catholic Theology (Akademia Teologii Katolickiej) and Christian Theological Academy
(Chrzescijanska Akademia Teologiczna) were established. The former was composed of the
theological faculty of Warsaw University, which had been separated from it by the
Communist authorities to form the state-supported, Catholic, university-level institution.
Because it was financed by the state, the bishops looked at it with suspicion. They feared its
teachers might be loyal to the state, rather than the church. Priests were also employed by
the Academy of Catholic Theology. In 1999 the institution was renamed Cardinal Stefan
Wyszynski University after one of the most respected, influential, and prominent figures
in Polish religious and public life. The other religious university, the Christian Theological
Academy, was for the protestant and orthodox churches. Lectures on Marxism-Leninism
were obligatory in all types of schools, beginning in 1948 in evening technical colleges and
in 1950 at part time colleges. The 1956 decree restored the importance of the pedagogical
council and moderated discipline regulations.
The Law on the Development of Education Systems, passed on 15 July 1961, established
formal principles that reiterated the goals of the educational system. An 8 year primary
school was introduced and attendance to age 17 was mandated. Schools of all types and on
all levels were free. The system of schooling was standardized. Schools were secular
in nature, but the church was permitted to establish a network of separate religious
education centers to compensate for this restriction. This reform in primary and secondary
schools was completed between 1963 and 1971.
In 1971 new models of education were introduced. One of the most important tasks was
developing a common secondary education system. The decree of 1973 established 10-year
secondary schools with 2-year vocational schools to prepare students for employment or
2 year preparatory colleges, permitting students to take university entrance exams. In 1981,
for lack of suitable funds, this educational reform initiative was rejected. Access to education
still varied from place to place, depending on social conditions. The end of Soviet rule
in 1989 brought many changes to Poland's educational system, including autonomy for local
school administrations and comprehensive upgrading of material support. Nursery schools
and public schools introduced religious education, according to a directive from the Ministry
of National Education.
Between 1991 and 1996, primary schools were taken over by local governments. By law the
number of lessons per week decreased from 199.5 in 1989 to 184 in 1993. In 1996, more
than 95 percent of primary school graduates continued on to some form of secondary
education. Between 1993 and 1994, only 27.9 percent of pupils completing primary school
went to lycea (1561 schools with 601,854 pupils). Teachers were educated at universities
and colleges. Between 1992 and 1993, approximately 7,000 teachers supplemented their
education, despite the fact that tuition was high at both state and private schools. The Office
of Innovation and Independent Schools was established to create the legislative basis
for government support of private schools established by individuals and civic organizations.
Education in the non-public schools was paid, and, with the exception of non-public collegelevel schools, state subsidies were set at 50 percent of the state's per-student cost. Schools
for minorities also appeared, serving mainly Ukrainians, Belorussians, and Lithuanians.
Education in Poland before the 1999 reform
Before the 1999 reform, primary education lasted for 8 years and led to the świadectwo
ukonczenia szkoly podstawowej (Certificate of Completion of Primary School Education).
Secondary general education was provided in the four-year general lyceum (liceum
ogólnokształcące). Secondary vocational education was provided by a range of schools , i.e.
four-year liceum ( lyceum), liceum zawodowe (vocational lyceum), liceum techniczne
(technical lyceum) and a 5-year technikum (secondary technical school). The graduates of all
secondary schools were awarded either the świadectwo dojrzałości (Maturity Certificate
of a given kind of secondary school) or the świadectwo ukończenia (Certificate
of Completion of Education in the given kind of secondary school). In addition, there were
basic vocational schools (zasadnicza skola zawodowa) whose graduates obtained the
świadectwo ukończenia szkoly zasadniczej (Certificate of Completion of Education in the
basic vocational school). After the 1999 reform, 6-year primary schools and 3-year gymnasia
were introduced. Secondary education is provided in 3-year general lyceums (liceum
ogólnokształcące) or in vocational secondary schools such as the 3-year liceum profilowane
(specialized lyceum) and 4-year technikum (secondary technical school). In addition, there
are 2-3-year basic vocational schools (zasdnicza szkoła zawodowa) whose graduates obtain
the świadectwo ukonczenia zasadniczej szkoły zawodowej (Certificate of Completion
of Education in the Basic Vocational School). The secondary school credentials of the former
system will be issued until 2005. In the transition period, both the former and the new types
of secondary school will co-exist. The credential that gives right to access higher education
before and after the reform is the świadectwo dojrzałości issued after completion
of education in a secondary school and passing the Maturity examination (egzamin
dojrzałości/matura).The only type of post-primary school that does not give access to higher
education is the basic vocational school, both in the old and new system. The graduates
of these schools may continue their education in different types of complementary
secondary schools: liceum uzupełniające (complementary lyceum) or technikum
uzupełniające (complementary technical secondary school). Following completion of
education in these schools they can pass the maturity examination and obtain a Maturity
Certificate and thus become eligible for entrance to higher education
Recent changes in Polish Education
Since changes made in 2009 Education in Poland starts at the age of five or six for the 0 class
(Kindergarten) and six or seven years in the 1st class of primary school (Polish szkoła
podstawowa). It is compulsory that children do one year of formal education before entering
1st class at no later than 7 years of age. At the end of 6th class when the students are 13,
they take a compulsory exam that will determine to which lower secondary school
(gimnazjum, pronounced gheem-nah-sium) (Middle School/Junior High) they will be
accepted. They will attend this school for three years for classes, 7, 8, and 9. They then take
another compulsory exam to determine the upper secondary level school they will attend.
There are several alternatives, the most common being the three years in a liceum or four
years in a technikum. Both end with a maturity examination (matura, quite similar to French
baccalauréat), and may be followed by several forms of upper education, leading to licencjat
or inżynier (the Polish Bologna Process first cycle qualification) , magister (the Polish Bologna
Process second cycle qualification)and eventually doktor (the Polish Bologna Process third
cycle qualification).
Bibliography:
1. Ted Tapper, David Palfreyman, Understanding Mass Higher Education: Comparative
Perspectives on Access, Routledge, 2004, ISBN 0415354919, Google Print.
2. Norman Davies, God's Playground: A History of Poland, Columbia University Press,
2005, ISBN 0231128193, Google Print.
3. Poland - History Background - Schools, Education, School, Polish, Established, and
University - http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1209/Poland-HISTORYBACKGROUND.html
4. Ministry of Education - http://www.men.gov.pl
5. KEN in Polish State Archives - http://www.archiwa.gov.pl/?CIDA=346
6. Education in Poland on Poland.pl http://www.poland.pl/directory/index,Education,cid,858.htm
7. Detailed Guide to Education in Poland, Ministry Website http://www.buwiwm.edu.pl/publ/guide