When I was a student in Poland, the school system was slightly different than it is today. The present educational system in Poland was introduced in 1998/1999. Many things were changed concerning administration, financing, inspection, supervision, guidance, teachers’ rights and duties.
Pre-school education also underwent certain changes.

According to the new Educational Act of 2002, pre-school education is treated as the first level of the education system and starting from 2003/2004 school year it is compulsory (przymusowy) for children of six years old. This education stimulates the general development and gives the primary reading skills and basic mathematics.

Students of 7-12 attend primary school, which is also compulsory. Primary education is divided into two cycles: the first cycle (grades 1-3) at which beginning learning is offered, and the second cycle (grades 4-6) at which systematic learning is provided. Primary schools operate on the basic of general educational plan, which determines the minimum weekly number of lesson periods of particular subjects. The main components taught at the lower level of the primary school (grades 1-3) re: Polish language, social and natural environment and mathematics, crafts and technology, art and music and physical education. In the lower grades one teacher teaches all subjects, while in the higher grades each subject has a different teacher and usually students change classroom for each subject.
After completing primary school students can choose different secondary education, which is free of charge. General secondary schools provide students with general education, with the possibility of receiving the graduation certificate of general education. Those who have passed the final examination called matura may apply to universities. Those who do not want to study at the university and those who have not taken the matura examination may continue their education in post – secondary vocational schools.
Secondary schools of vocational education prepare qualified workers and others with equivalent qualification. They also provide general secondary education. The purpose of these schools is to meet the demand for qualified workers, and they also provide young people with the opportunity of acquiring secondary education and taking the matura examination.
Students can choose post-secondary education. They are trained as nurses, accountants, administrative personnel for enterprises and hotels, computer specialists, librarians and many others.
After secondary school students can take higher education. There are various types of higher education institutions in Poland.
We have such institutions as: universities, polytechnics, economic academies, agricultural academies and others. The biggest academic center is Warsaw, which has the largest student enrolment, the greatest number of higher education institutions and the largest number of teachers. Other big cities like Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, are very popular as well. A lot of students choose Warsaw, because it is easier to find a job there. But other big cities are more famous for overall nice student environment.

Day studies in state higher schools are free of charge.

There are also a lot of private Universities. Some of them are really good, others not so much.

After you complete University you may continue with the Doctorate studies.

Here is some educational vocabulary:

Pre – school education – przedszkole

Elementary school – szkoła podstawowa

Gymnasium – gimnazjum

High school – liceum

Vocational school – szkoła zawodowa

University – uniwersytet

Polytechnical – politechnika

Academy – akademia

Doctorate studies – studia doktoranckie

Student – student

Teacher – nauczyciel

Proffesor – profesor

Dorm house – akademik

Grades – oceny

 

I tried to gather as much information about the school system as I could. I haven’t lived in Poland for a while now, so if I missed something – please let me know in comments below.

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)