An Overview of the Education System in Poland
Major reforms in 1999
The Polish education system was reformed in 1999 and changes have been implemented over several years. Education is now compulsory from 7 till 18 but there are some non school alternatives from 16, including apprenticeships. There is a statutory entitlement to a year of pre school education.
Primary and lower secondary
After 1999 the 8 year primary school (7 to 15) gave way to a 6 year primary (7 to 12) and a three year gymnasium or lower secondary school (13 to 15}.
Upper secondary and vocational education and training
Following the reforms upper secondary education takes place in one of four types of school described below:-
3 Year general lyceum offering general education leading to the maturity certificate, a requirement for entry to Higher Education (HE);
-
3 year specialised lyceum leading to the maturity certificate but also offering a general vocational education in a chosen area;
-
4 year technical lyceum leading to the maturity certificate and vocational qualifications at technician level; and
-
2-3 year basic vocational school leading to skilled worker qualifications.
Both general and vocational education programmes seek to develop the 5 key competences of; planning, organising and self assessing of learning; communication; team work; problem-solving; and application of IT.
School based vocational education includes practical training in school, practical training centres, continuing education centres and employers? premises and periods of placement with employers.
Complementary 2 year general and 3 year technical secondary schools offer routes to the maturity certificate and technician qualifications for students in basic vocational schools.
Post secondary schools enable general and specialised secondary school leavers to obtain vocational qualifications at skilled worker and technician level. This sector also includes centres offering part-time programmes for adults.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships last between 2 and 3 years depending on the occupation. Those who have met additional training requirements, gained sufficient working experience and passed a further examination earn the title master. Apprentices also receive theoretical education, most of which takes place in basic vocational schools.
Higher Education
The HE sector comprises the new higher vocational schools, universities, technical universities, and specialised academies such as academies of medicine and music. First cycle qualifications include: licencjat and inżynier and second cycle: magister, eg magister inżynier (engineering) and lekarz, eg lekarz medycyny (medicine). At doktoral level the titles are doktor and doktor habilitowany.
www.naric.org.uk
www.cedefop.europa.eu
www.buwiwm.edu.pl (NARIC Poland)
(Last updated 07/2007)
