Poland’s Ministry of Education is set to review and potentially revise its recent homework policy, with a decision expected in October.
Changes in Homework Policy
Poland’s Education Minister, Barbara Nowacka, signed a regulation on March 22 regarding homework and grading for religion and ethics classes. The new rules state that teachers in primary schools (grades 1-3) cannot assign homework, except for exercises to improve fine motor skills.
In grades 4-8, homework is optional and ungraded. Minister Nowacka explained that the goal is to give students more time to reinforce their knowledge, prepare for tests, read books, and pursue their passions.
Potential Reforms and Analysis
Deputy Education Minister Katarzyna Lubnauer announced that the ministry will review analyses on the implemented changes by the end of September and make decisions on potential reforms in October.
Lubnauer emphasized that any changes will not revert to the previous system, where parents often helped with homework. She noted that while homework can still be assigned, it is not graded, and teachers can only provide feedback.
Issues with Student Recruitment and Certificates
This year’s student recruitment process was marred by errors on some eighth-grade certificates, which were issued with an outdated abbreviation for the Ministry of Education.
Minister Nowacka urged teachers not to consider the minor error when evaluating student applications.