Poland’s Ministry of Education announced on 25 October that its plan to employ non‑teachers in kindergartens has been abandoned following backlash from academics and unions.
MEN retracts its proposal
The ministry confirmed that the initiative to allow individuals who are not teachers to work in preschools has been withdrawn.
Ewelina Gorczyca, the ministry’s press spokesperson, said that after the first reading, amid critical remarks mainly from academic circles and trade unions, the project was taken off the table at the request of the Council of Ministers.
Project stirred controversy
In July the government introduced an amendment to the education law that would permit qualified non‑teachers to conduct classes in public kindergartens with a school inspector’s approval.
Teachers opposed the proposal, and parents expressed concerns, leading to heated debate.
The bill was to return to Parliament in September but was ultimately dropped, leaving the staffing shortage problem unresolved.
Government adopts changes to education law
At the start of October, the government approved changes linked to the Kompas Jutra project, aiming for a coherent curriculum, more practical and project‑based hours, and the introduction of a “project week” from 2026.
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka explained that the reforms would make practical skill acquisition a requirement in most subjects, using experiments, debates, and hands‑on learning.
The new law also reinstates the eighth‑grade exam in April.
