Poland’s bishops called for the restoration of religious education in schools ahead of the start of the new academic year.
In a statement on 24 August titled “Young People Deserve More”, the Polish Episcopal Conference (KEP) said religious education classes should return to their proper place in school timetables and criticised the government’s decision to make health education classes mandatory from September.
“At the threshold of a new school year and in the face of the serious challenges facing education, the Presidium of the Polish Episcopal Conference feels obliged to speak out in the spirit of pastoral care for the young generations in our homeland,” it said.
At the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, the Ministry of Education cut religious education classes in schools from two hours per week to one, and required that those classes be scheduled directly before or after compulsory classes.
The classes essentially teach the Catholic catechism and rarely include information on other religions. Grades from religious education classes no longer count towards a pupil’s average grade each year.
“We appeal for the immediate restoration of these classes to their proper place and for a genuine dialogue with religious communities,” the KEP statement said.
It backed a citizen’s bill sent to parliament that proposes the restoration of a weekly two hours of religious education or ethics classes with results counting towards final grades.
The bishops also expressed concern about the ministry’s decision to make health education classes compulsory at the start of this academic year.
The classes were introduced last year but attendance was optional and only around 30 per cent of pupils nationwide chose to attend. The ministry said pupils will still be able to opt out of the classes this year when they deal with matters concerning sexual health.
The KEP said it recognises the need for health education in schools and its important role in the promotion of mental health and in disease prevention.
“Our concerns, however, are about the vision of humanity, marriage and family that emerge from the curriculum and published textbooks,” the statement said.
“Education in such a sensitive area of human life must respect the parents’ right to decide on its shape. The state should support the family in its upbringing, not take over its basic functions,” it continued.
“Sexuality should be presented in the context of marital and family relationships because in this context it serves the true good of humanity. The lack of a clear position that marriage is a union between a man and a woman is also concerning.”