In an interview with public broadcaster TVP Info, Barbara Nowacka said that, starting September 1, students attending religion and ethics classes will no longer be graded.
She added that her ministry is working on reducing the number of religion class hours, a move that will be subject to public consultations, "as with any change."
Nowacka also said that "it is the Church, not the Ministry of Education" that assigns catechists to teach religion, and promised to create a support system for catechism teachers seeking additional qualifications to teach other subjects.
Students opting out of religion classes
Religious instruction was introduced into the Polish education system in 1990, following the fall of communism and the rising influence of the Solidarity movement, which was actively supported by some members of the clergy.
Prior to that, religion was taught to young Catholics in church parishes. However, interest in optional religion classes among school students has declined over the years.
In 2010, ninety-three percent of students attended religion classes, according to a survey by pollster CBOS. By 2022, the figure had dropped to 54 percent, Polish fact-checking portal demagog.org.pl reported.
Warsaw, Sept. 6, 1990: A religion class at the Jan Zamoyski High School in downtown Warsaw, taught by a Catholic priest from the nearby Holy Cross Church. Photo: W.Jabłonowski/PAP
Several factors contribute to the declining popularity of religion classes among Polish students. One reason is the often inadequate quality of instruction, with most teachers being priests, nuns and catechists who report to the diocese rather than the Ministry of National Education.
While students who do not identify with the Catholic faith theoretically have the option to study ethics, this subject is not available in most schools nationwide.
Teachers protest in Warsaw
Starting in the 2024/2025 school year, new regulations will allow schools to combine students from different age groups and grades for religion and ethics classes.
This move has sparked controversy among religion teachers, who recently protested on Warsaw's Castle Square against the planned changes. The protest was organized by the Association of Lay Catechists.
In early August, the Catholic Education Committee of the Polish Episcopate raised concerns that the new rules governing religion classes were detrimental and violated education law.
According to the OKO.press website, the Episcopate has filed a lawsuit with the Polish Supreme Court against the changes.
The education minister responded by saying that consultations with the Church had taken place, some feedback was incorporated, and accusations of a lack of consultation were false.
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Source: Radio Poland/PAP/MEN/CBOS/demagog.org.pl/TVP Info/Oko Press
