The upcoming school year 2024/2025 brings a number of changes that will affect both students and teachers. The Ministry of National Education (MEN) introduced fresh rules that change the programme basis, evaluation principles and regulations for students from Ukraine. Let us look at precisely what will change from September 1, 2024.
A thin programme basis: little theory, more practice
One of the most crucial changes is to reduce the programme base by about 20%. This amendment concerns pupils of grades IV-VIII of primary school and all classes of secondary schools, including general schools, technicians and manufacture schools. The thinning of the program mainly includes subjects specified as Polish language, mathematics, computer discipline and abroad languages.
MEN has decided to remove content considered to be excessive or hard to implement, which aims to increase teaching efficiency. Students will be more focused on learning applicable skills and utilizing digital learning tools.
New items and changes in textbooks
From September 2025, students will have fresh subjects: civic education and wellness education, which will replace past and the present and raising to life in the family. In the school year 2024/2025, however, textbooks will not be changed, but teachers will be given guidance which parts of textbooks are no longer covered by the new, slimy, programming basis.
Additional first-aid courses are planned for pupils in grade I-III primary schools. This is the only case where the programming base will be de facto expanded alternatively than limited.
Exams: Changes for eighth graders and seniors
Changes in the software basis will besides be reflected in the exams. At the eighth grade exam, there will no longer be an work to know short literary works, which is expected to relieve students and simplify preparations. In addition, fitness tests can last a period longer, which gives schools more time to conduct them.
MEN besides announced the publication of updated whistleblowers about the eighth grade and elder examination on the website of the Central Examination Commission.
Ukrainian students: School work and fresh challenges
As of September 1, 2024, the school's work will besides include children and young people from Ukraine who reside in Poland. More children from Ukraine will appear in kindergartens and schools, resulting from the amendment of the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens. The implementation of the school work by children from Ukraine will besides be a condition for the payment of social benefits specified as 800+ and Good Start.
To facilitate integration, intercultural assistants will be employed in schools to support both Ukrainian students and teachers in communication and adaptation.
Religion and Ethics: Changes in Assessment
At the beginning of the fresh school year, spiritual and ethics assessments will not be included in the average student grades. However, they will proceed to be seen on school certificates. This amendment aims to minimise the impact of these subjects on the overall final evaluation of students, which has been the subject of discussion and criticism in erstwhile years.
Early retirement for teachers: Who will benefit?
The revision of the Teacher's Charter, which will enter into force on September 1, 2024, gives teachers the right to early retirement, provided certain criteria are met. In order to benefit from this right, the teacher must, among others, start working before 1 January 1999, have at least a 30-year traineeship, including 20 years as a teacher, and have no pension rights regardless of age.
The Association of Polish Teachership (ZNP) recommends teachers to carefully examine various pension options, including traineeship pensions and compensation benefits, before deciding to finish their career earlier.
The school year 2024/2025 brings many crucial changes that will affect the regular functioning of schools in Poland. From a thin program base, through fresh evaluation rules, to a school work for students from Ukraine – all these changes aim to adapt the Polish education strategy to contemporary challenges and needs. Students, teachers and parents must be aware of these changes in order to be able to effectively find themselves in a fresh school reality.
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Back to schools 2024/2025: Key changes for pupils and teachers
