As the new school year begins in September, Polish bishops have called on students to attend religious education classes. However, Polish schools face two significant issues: an increasing number of students opting out of religion classes each year and a growing shortage of catechists willing to teach the subject.
Declining interest in religion classes spurs new school regulations
As we noted in our previous article about the debate over religion classes, interest in these classes among Polish students has significantly declined since the subject was introduced in schools in 1990, after the fall of communism.
In 2010, 93% of students attended religion classes, but by 2022, this figure had dropped to 54%, according to a survey by pollster CBOS and the Polish fact-checking portal Demagog.org.
The declining number of students interested in religion classes has necessitated changes in the regulations.
According to the decree of July 26, which is set to take effect on September 1, 2024, school directors will be allowed to combine students from classes or grades with seven or more students enrolled in religion with those from classes or grades with fewer than seven students.
Polish bishops were displeased with this decision. The Polish Episcopal Conference and the Polish Ecumenical Council filed a petition with the Constitutional Tribunal, arguing that the decree violates regulations regarding cooperation with the Churches and principles for organizing religious instruction.
Polish bishops challenge education decree on religious instruction
The petitioners accuse the Ministry of Education of failing to consult with Church representatives as required by law when issuing the decree on religious education.
The education minister stated that consultations with the Church had taken place, some feedback was incorporated, and the claims of insufficient consultation were incorrect.
Through social media, the Ministry of Education responded that the decree on religion classes complies with the law and does not impose any bans; rather, it increases the flexibility for school directors to organize the schedule in a way that is most beneficial for all students.
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Source: IAR/PAP/Demagog.org/CBOS/X/MEN
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