The new course is aimed at equipping students with practical life skills and a deeper understanding of how democratic systems work, according to officials.
Deputy Education Minister Paulina Piechna-Więckiewicz confirmed the plan on Monday.
Speaking during a conference at the Prime Minister’s Office, she said the subject would help students learn how to navigate public institutions, combat manipulation and build everyday competencies through teamwork, practice and social engagement.
Learning to separate facts from 'alternative facts'
With rapidly advancing changes in society, and a growing threat of broad-ranging disinformation being presented as "alternative facts," the course is designed to strengthen students' ability to think critically, the government says.
Civic education will be built on three equally important components: theoretical knowledge, hands-on civic activities, and a student-led project, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The curriculum will include 45 core learning outcomes and seven optional modules, with adjustments for vocational schools, where the requirements will be reduced to better match available instruction time.
According to Jędrzej Witkomski, head of the team developing the curriculum and CEO of the NGO Center for Citizenship Education, the subject is a response to the widespread sense of political alienation among young people.
He cited a 2022 ICCS study showing that while Polish students are strong in social awareness, only one in three believes the country’s political system functions well.
Just a quarter of respondents felt that young people are properly represented by politicians.
Rule of law, human rights, hate speech
The new subject will cover themes such as the rule of law, human rights, local government, global interdependence and hate speech.
Students will engage in real-world civic actions—such as organising debates, staging simulations of elections or protests, and conducting legal research.
Each student must complete a civic project and participate in at least four civic activities, or three in vocational schools.
The curriculum is divided into thematic sections including self and society, school as a community, local and regional identity, democracy and the law, Poland and its institutions, political systems, Poland in Europe, and globalisation.
Global threats to liberal democracy
Deputy Justice Minister Dariusz Mazur, also speaking at Monday's conference on civic and legal education, highlighted the need for such an education in light of global threats to liberal democracy.
He stressed that a responsible, law-literate citizenry is essential to democratic resilience.
Witkomski added that the subject will remain politically neutral. It is not intended to promote specific views, but rather to help students understand societal issues and develop informed, independent perspectives.
Civic education will be taught in years 2 and 3 of general high school, years 2 to 4 of technical school, and years 2 and 3 of first-level vocational school.
The Center for Citizenship Education has, since 1994, encouraged schools to embrace innovative teaching practices and incorporate important social issues into their work with students.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP