PiS Challenges New Health Education Curriculum in Constitutional Tribunal

Law and Justice has filed a motion with the Constitutional Tribunal against regulations introducing compulsory health education, with Przemysław Czarnek alleging ideological indoctrination and violations of parental rights.

Health Education Becomes Compulsory

Health education will become a mandatory subject from September 1 in grades four through eight of primary school and for two years chosen by the school principal in secondary schools. Students will cover safety, digital hygiene, nutrition, addiction prevention, mental, physical, and social health, as well as first aid. The Ministry of National Education stated that issues concerning sexual health will not be compulsory.

PiS Files Motion with the Constitutional Tribunal

During a Tuesday PiS press conference, Przemysław Czarnek announced the submission of a motion to the Constitutional Tribunal to declare the health education regulations and the handling of the sexual health component unconstitutional. According to the MP, the voluntary module is being forced. Czarnek stated that the obsession with sexual education by minister Nowacka, Lubnauer, and the current Ministry of National Education leadership led to the liquidation of education for family life and attempts to force sexual education.

Motion for Interim Relief

PiS also submitted a motion for an interim measure. Czarnek said they are asking the high Tribunal to issue a security order before ruling on the entire case so that these regulations cannot apply from September 1, preventing Polish children and youth from being subjected to what he termed Nowacka-leftist and Lubnauer-style indoctrination contrary to the constitution.

Czarnek Prefers PiS-Era Education

During the conference, the MP recalled that sexual education in Polish schools has always existed, taught during youth and under PiS governments primarily through biology and education for family life. Czarnek argued that education for family life was based on Article 18 of the constitution regarding the protection of marriage, family, motherhood, and parenthood, as well as Articles 48 and 53, which guarantee parents the right to raise children according to their worldview and moral stance.

Parental Rights and Opt-Outs

The politician recalled that parents had the full right last year to opt out of the subject based on declarations provided by the party. Under current rules, a minor student does not participate if parents or legal guardians submit a written resignation to the principal, while adults can resign independently. However, Czarnek claims parents now lack the right to withdraw children from the health education component that impacts values, morality, and parental upbringing rights.

Consultations and Procedural Concerns

Under the regulation, parents can meet with teachers at least a month before classes begin to learn when lessons occur, what the child will learn, and what materials are needed. Czarnek argued that this undermines parental rights by making the declaration submission process significantly harder, noting that specific submission deadlines were not stated in the regulation.