The new rules, announced at the end of last month and effective from the start of the new academic year in September, specify that religious education groups can include students from grades 1-3, 4-6, or 7-8, but not mix students from non-adjacent grades such as 2 and 5.
The maximum number of students per group is set at 25 for early primary grades and 28 for older students.
In addition, special considerations are to be made for students with special educational needs, as detailed in the Ministry of Education's regulation on the organization of public schools and kindergartens.
The new policy has added to the ongoing debate about the role of, and need for, religious education in Poland's public schools, emphasizing the tension between state regulations and religious institutions' desire to maintain influence over educational content.
The policy has raised significant concerns among church leaders, as expressed in a statement released by the Polish Bishops' Conference's press office on Monday.
Bishop Wojciech Osial, chair of the commission, contended that the changes violate educational laws and pedagogical principles, introducing "serious problems in executing the religious education curriculum."
The commission argues that these modifications, which allow grouping students across different grades in primary schools, are discriminatory and were implemented without the necessary legal agreement with church authorities.
The Catholic Education Commission has encouraged the faithful to participate in the "Yes to Religion in Schools" campaign, promoted by four Catholic weeklies, to highlight the educational and formative value which they claim religious lessons in schools possess.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
