The government has already decided, but the episcopate is fighting and threatening legal action. The bishops also refer to the ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal from the times of Julia Przyłębska. From September 1, 2025, there will be one religion lesson, at the beginning or end of classes.
This plan of the Ministry of National Education has not changed. The regulation is to enter into force on September 1, 2025. It's a short document. The public consultation stage has just ended. Firstly, it assumes a reduction in the number of religion classes from two to one per week.
– I am very much looking forward to this solution, because in such a large facility that I manage, every hour taken out of the schedule is valuable – says Dominika Naworska, director of the School and Kindergarten Complex No. 9 in Poznań.
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Secondly, teaching religion or ethics would take place during the first or last lesson. The Church does not accept changes in this form. – It's a pity that no agreement was reached – says Fr. Leszek Gęsiak, spokesman of the Polish Episcopal Conference.
After the December 9 meeting of the Joint Commission of Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Episcopal Conference, the church issued a statement in which it opposes the reduction of the number of religion classes and considers it “unjustified and discriminatory” that the lessons should be held before or after other school classes.
– We act in accordance with the law and social expectations – comments Adrian Witczak, MP from the Civic Coalition.
– The discussion is very dynamic, but this trend is happening. It is noticeable that fewer and fewer people take advantage of religious lessons – points out Dr. Iga Kazimierczak, president of the “Space for Education” Foundation, member of the “Free School” Initiative.
Poles are moving away from the Church and it can be seen in the statistics Katarzyna Górniak/Fakty TVN
The Church opposes change
While six years ago 88 percent of students in all types of institutions attended religion classes, last school year it was 78.6 percent.
– Religion shouldn't be at school. It should be for those who want it, not compulsory, because it takes up valuable learning time – says Patrycja, a student of Secondary School No. 4 in Szczecin.
But the Church has a different opinion. – We propose that an axiological subject, religion and ethics, should be an obligatory element – says Fr. Leszek Gęsiak.
The Ministry of National Education does not agree to this. Additionally, the Church proposed to postpone the process of reducing the number of religion classes in secondary schools.
– We are also considering taking appropriate legal steps, which our lawyers will work on depending on further decisions of the government – informs Fr. Leszek Gęsiak.
Is the final decision regarding the government's position? – Oh, no. Because in many issues we take into account certain changes in this regulation after consultations and talks with the episcopate – declares Katarzyna Lubnauer, deputy minister of national education (KO).
It is possible that the regulation in its final form will be signed by the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, in January.
Main photo source: TVN24