POLISH SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
Education in Poland is free, compulsory and available for every citizen. This rights are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Poland which states that:
- Every person has the right to education,
- Education is compulsory until the age of 18,
- Education in public schools is free of charge,
- Parents are free to choose schools other than public schools for their children,
- Public authorities provide citizens with general and equal access to education.
By the end of the school year 2018/2019 the whole cycle of compulsory education is still divided into three stages – primary school, middle school and secondary school (including technical and vocational schools). On account of the reform introduced by the government in 2017, there will be two stages beginning with school year 2019/2020 – the primary (for students aged 7-15) and secondary (for 15-year-olds and older).
The primary education is divided into 8 years, out of which the first three years are called early-school education carried out by one form teacher educating in all fields such as maths, Polish, science, etc. This cycle ends with final exam in humanistic and mathematical subjects as well as foreign language that is carried out in the eighth year.
The secondary education may be continued in 4-year secondary schools, 5-year technical schools and 3-year vocational education, which afterwards may be followed by 3-year technical education. The secondary and technical school are completed with “matura”, in which students have to take exams in Polish, maths, foreign language and at least one individually chosen subject.