President Karol Nawrocki has signed an amendment to the Polish language and academic agency acts, streamlining state certification procedures to address a significant surge in demand from foreign applicants.
Regulatory Overhaul for Proficiency Exams
The amendment, prepared by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, optimizes the organization of state examinations for Polish as a foreign language. It modifies the criteria for obtaining examination rights and adjusts the functional structure of examination boards.
Originally designed for academic purposes, the language certificate has increasingly become a tool for migration. Consequently, the number of candidates rose from approximately 5,100 in 2018 to over 21,700 in 2024, necessitating legal updates to ensure compliance with visa requirements and recruitment standards.
Revised Requirements for Examiners and Boards
The new regulations, effective in 2027, impose stricter conditions on entities seeking to host exams, including updated requirements for the number of hours taught in Polish. Institutions must now demonstrate their capacity during the application process to qualify for or renew their authorization.
To increase personnel capacity, the law lowers the barrier for examiners, allowing individuals with higher education degrees outside of Polish philology to serve if they possess relevant teaching experience. Additionally, commission limits have been raised to 30 candidates, with provisions for age-based grouping and additional examiners for larger sessions.
Operational Support from NAWA
The State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language gains enhanced oversight capabilities, including the authority to act as formal visitors for examination sessions. Furthermore, the mandatory threshold for re-evaluating written exams has been increased from 20 to 30 percent.
The National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) will now provide broader administrative support to the commission. This includes processing duplicate certificate requests and managing the collection of fees related to examinations and certifications.