Poland’s Ministry of National Education has decided a planned nationwide ban on mobile phone use in schools will not extend to preschools, raising questions about equitable screen time regulation.
Preschools Exempted from National Phone Ban
A planned nationwide ban on mobile phone use in education will not apply to preschools, according to a decision by the Ministry of National Education (MEN). The regulations will cover primary schools, but preschools will be excluded from the legislation.
Parents and local governments are questioning whether the youngest children will be less protected from screen exposure as a result of this distinction.
Different Regulations for Different Educational Stages
The revised scope of the planned regulations clarifies which institutions will be subject to the statutory rules, effectively creating two different sets of rules for children depending on their stage of education.
MEN Justification for the Exclusion
The MEN states the exclusion of preschools from the bill is not accidental, asserting that the issue has already been addressed through existing regulations. MEN spokesperson Ewelina Gorczyca stated the Ministry has already taken concrete action regarding digital hygiene in preschools through a regulation, rather than the proposed school-focused law.
Preschool Structure Supports Existing Regulations
The MEN argues that the structure of preschools differs from schools; children are under constant teacher supervision and do not have breaks or “free time” in the same way as students. A typical preschool day consists of lessons, play, meals, and rest, making unsupervised phone use less likely.
New Regulations for Preschools Starting September 2026
While there won’t be a statutory ban, regulations for the youngest children are still being tightened. A new regulation concerning the core curriculum for preschool education will come into effect on September 1, 2026, stipulating that children should not use screen devices independently.
Focus on Organization and Teacher Responsibility
This approach differs from the ban in schools, relying on daily organization and teacher responsibility rather than sanctions and controls.
Local Governments’ Appeals Rejected
During public consultations, proposals were made to extend the ban to preschools and preschool departments within schools, citing concerns about consistent screen time regulation. However, the MEN maintains that existing regulations are “adequate for the age” of the children.
Key Differences Between School and Preschool Regulations
The following table summarizes the key differences:
AreaPrimary SchoolPreschool
Legal BasisLaw (Education Act)Regulation
Phone UseBan (with exceptions)No independent use
EnforcementSchool + StatuteTeacher and daily schedule
SanctionsPossible (e.g., behavior grade)No formal penalties
For parents, this means a child in preschool should not use a phone, even without a statutory ban.
Timeline for the School Phone Ban
The draft amendment to the Education Act is currently in the public consultation phase. The key dates are as follows:
This means the final shape of the regulations may still change, although the MEN’s position on preschools appears to be firm.