Mucha criticized the previous government’s handling of Ukrainian students after the 2022 Russian invasion, arguing that while they were welcomed into Polish schools, no mandatory education system was established, and teachers in preparatory classes lacked guidance.
Poland currently offers free Polish language lessons for Ukrainian students with limited proficiency, with classes of up to 15 students and a minimum of four hours per week. Students can also attend preparatory classes where teaching is adapted to their needs, with an emphasis on language acquisition.
Mucha also aims to introduce a European integration curriculum for Ukrainian students, preparing them for future engagement with EU structures. She hopes to secure EU funding for the initiative, which she believes could be launched within a year.
Poland currently hosts around 203,000 Ukrainian students, including 152,000 war refugees and 51,000 pre-war migrants, according to the latest report from the Center for Civic Education. The number of Ukrainian students in Polish schools is now at its highest since 2022.
In response to the refugee influx, Poland passed emergency legislation in 2022 allowing schools to hire Ukrainian-speaking teaching assistants and expand class sizes to accommodate the growing number of students.
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Source: PAP