In addition, all public schools, with the exception of primary schools, will only offer the elective subject in the first or last lesson of the day, so that pupils who do not attend can come to class later or go home earlier.
Nowacka explained in a short video message that this was not just the realisation of an election promise.
It is also about "common sense". So far, young people have been taught more religion lessons than biology, chemistry, physics, social studies and safety education put together.
"This is exactly what will change and the school will teach in the best possible way and prepare them for the future, including their careers," said the minister.
It is controversial whether the politician is allowed to reduce religious education without the consent of the Catholic Church. This is because an agreement between Poland and the Vatican and laws give the Church a say in certain areas.
At the beginning of December, she announced that she would take legal action if the centre-left government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk disregarded these regulations.
Bishops want more hours
In the talks with the government, the Bishops' Conference insisted that religion should continue to be taught for two hours a week at primary schools. For secondary schools, it no longer insisted on two hours per week.
However, the bishops argued in favour of all pupils having to attend either religion or ethics lessons.
But Nowacka rejects this. Up to now, both subjects have been voluntary.
However, ethics lessons are often not offered.
In Poland, fewer and fewer pupils have been choosing religion as a subject for years. Especially in the higher grades and in the big cities, the majority often decide against it.
According to the Bishops' Conference, 78.6 per cent of all children and young people nationwide took part in religious education in the 2023/24 school year.
Two years earlier, the figure was 82 per cent.
A spokesperson for the Polish Bishops' Conference announced to the Catholic News Agency (KNA) that it would review the Ministry of Education's decree as soon as it was published in the Official Gazette. He did not comment further for the time being.