The education ministry says the changes are meant to modernise the system, boost digital skills and better prepare young people for the labour market.
Two new subjects
The new school year will see two new subjects: civic education and health education.
Civic education will aim to prepare students for active participation in public life, counter disinformation and strengthen social skills.
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka has said the subject would give students "the tools they need to look after their own health and that of others."
Health education will be introduced as a non-compulsory subject, replacing the current “family life education” classes.
Taught one hour per week, it will cover 11 areas, including physical and mental health, nutrition, sex education, addiction prevention and risks linked to internet use.
New guidelines for physical education
Physical education will also change. Pupils n in grades one to three will take mandatory fitness tests, while older children in grades six to eight will face endurance runs, push-ups, long jumps and self-defence modules.
Sports classes will be easier to organise, as the minimum group size will be lowered from 20 to 14 students, particularly benefiting smaller towns.
Fewer religion classes
One of the most debated reforms concerns religious education. From September, religion and ethics classes will be reduced from two to one hour per week.
They will only be allowed before or after compulsory lessons, unless all students in a class declare participation by September 15.
Schools will also be able to form mixed groups of students from different classes.
The Catholic Church has strongly opposed the reform, calling it a breach of agreements between church and state.
The ministry insists the move is legal and reflects declining interest among students in religious instruction.
The school calendar will be adjusted. For the first time, winter holidays will take place in three waves across the country, instead of four, in response to appeals from parents, lawmakers and the tourism sector - though critics warn that popular tourist resorts may be overcrowded.
The winter break will run from January 19 to March 1, depending on the province, while the Christmas and Easter holidays will last from December 22 to 31 and April 2 to 7 respectively.
The academic year will end on June 26, 2026, with national exams held in May.
'Functional grading'
Another innovation will be the introduction of “functional grading” for students with autism, sensory disorders or intellectual disabilities.
Instead of focusing only on academic results, the evaluation will cover everyday functioning, social skills, emotional regulation and independence.
Teachers will prepare the assessment together with psychologists and parents, based on observing the child in their natural environment.
Experts say this method better reflects actual progress and capabilities.
(rt/gs)
Source: polskieradio24.pl, interia.pl