Poland’s Ministry of Education and Digitisation is developing a free, public e-journal system for schools, slated for pilot testing in 2026 and full implementation in 2027.
Public E-Journal Development Underway
Work is underway to create a public e-journal for schools, with a pilot program planned for primary schools in the 2026/2027 school year. Anticipated features include access to grades—including conduct grades—lesson schedules, and attendance information, according to Education Ministry spokesperson Ewelina Gorczyca.
Collaboration with Digitisation Ministry
Deputy Minister of Education Katarzyna Lubnauer stated that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with the Ministry of Digital Affairs on the development of the system’s IT infrastructure. The working group coordinating the project also includes representatives from the Centre for Educational Informatics and the Central IT Centre.
Pilot Program and Implementation Timeline
A pilot program is scheduled to launch in autumn 2026, with the full implementation of the system planned for September 2027. Lubnauer confirmed that the e-journal will be a free IT system for both schools and parents.
Pilot Scope and System Accessibility
The initial pilot program will focus on primary schools, with the Ministry of Education yet to determine the exact number of participating schools or the selection criteria. The system will be available as a web application and integrated into the mObywatel and mObywatel Junior apps, according to Gorczyca.
Commercial E-Journals and Rising Costs
Currently, schools use commercial e-journals such as Librus, eduVulcan, Eszkola24, and Helion, with costs covered by local governments. There has been growing discussion about the need for a public e-journal due to providers expanding services and charging fees for certain features.
Concerns Over Costs and Advertising
The Ministry of Education and the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) have received reports of parents incurring costs and concerns about advertising within commercial e-journal platforms.
Data Security and Cyberattacks
Data security is a key concern, as the responsibility for protecting personal data lies with the school or the governing body that contracts with the provider. Poland has seen a significant increase in cyberattacks targeting educational institutions, with 167 incidents in 2023 and 895 from January to September 2025, according to CSIRT-NASK reports.
Positive Reception and Integration with mObywatel
Robert Górniak, a teacher and school vice-director, founder of “Dealerzy Wiedzy”, believes the public e-journal is a necessary step. He also welcomes the integration with the mObywatel app, which he believes will enhance user verification and security.
Potential Login Concerns and Universal Access
Górniak acknowledges some teachers have concerns about data transfer and the need to use personal devices for login, suggesting the Ministry may need to offer alternative login methods. He emphasizes the importance of a universal and free solution for all schools.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementation
Katarzyna Zychowicz, from the Association of Rural Municipalities, acknowledges the scale of the project and its compatibility requirements with other government systems. Tomasz Fijołek, from the Union of Polish Metropolises, supports the idea of a unified and free system but notes many uncertainties remain.
Uncertainties Regarding Scope and Needs
Fijołek highlights the need for clarity on the e-journal’s scope, data coverage, and ability to accommodate the diverse needs of schools, from early childhood education to vocational institutions.
Gathering School Feedback on System Design
Lubnauer stated that the Ministry of Education is actively collecting feedback from schools regarding the desired features of the e-journal.
Desired Features and Data Flow
Górniak emphasizes the need for efficient communication between schools and parents, including electronic information exchange and simple surveys. Local governments are primarily interested in the system’s ability to facilitate data flow between the Education Information System (SIO) and the e-journal.
Non-Obligatory Initial Rollout
The Ministry’s plan to make the system optional—at least initially—is considered a wise approach, allowing for a gradual and measured transition.
System Integration and Reporting Capabilities
Fijołek points to the importance of features supporting daily school operations, such as data import and integration, differentiated access levels, reporting tools (attendance, hours, statistics), automatic data retrieval from the school office, and integration with student ID card systems.
Avoiding a Rigid and Inflexible Solution
Fijołek cautions against a rigid solution that doesn’t adapt to different school types and stresses the need for consultation with teachers and directors.