The June survey, conducted by IBRiS for Polish Press Agency (PAP), found that 72.1 percent of respondents said Polish schools do not prepare pupils well for adult life, while only 21.5 percent disagreed.
On the broader question of direction, 58.3 percent said Polish education is heading the wrong way, compared to 25 percent who said it is on the right track. Among households with dependent children, negative assessments were similarly high, at 65.6 percent.
Political interference emerged as a leading concern. Some 81.8 percent of respondents agreed that politics has too great an influence on schools, and 80.7 percent said schools fail to teach skills useful in adult life.
"One of the most frequently cited issues is the influence of politics on schools", IBRiS noted.
Views on specific recent changes were mixed. The introduction of health education was welcomed by 53.7 percent of respondents, and civic education by 52.9 percent. Reducing the number of religious education classes was viewed positively by nearly half — 49.7 percent — though 41 percent opposed the move.
Limiting homework proved broadly unpopular, with 68.2 percent viewing it negatively and only 25.2 percent in favor. A majority — 55.4 percent — also said grades play too large a role in Polish schools.
On teacher pay, 66.5 percent of respondents supported higher salaries for teachers. Support was higher among parents with dependent children, at 71.8 percent, compared to 62.7 percent among those without.
(jh)
Source: PAP