At present in Poland there are
- Crèches and children’s clubs – care for children up to 3 years of age
- Kindergartens – care and education for children from 3 to 6 years old
- Primary schools – 8 years of education, starting at the age of 7
- Secondary schools:
- General secondary school – 4 years of education. General education school that prepares students for the school-leaving examination (matura). Does not provide vocational training.
- Technical secondary school – 5 years of education. School that provides education both in the general field and in a chosen profession. Allows to obtain a professional qualification and the title of a technician (it is necessary to pass the state professional examination) and to pass the matriculation examination. Technical school graduates can start working in a profession or continue their studies at a university (after passing the matriculation exam).
- First vocational school – 3 years of study. Includes mainly vocational education, allows to obtain basic vocational education (after passing the vocational exam). It does not entitle the student to take the baccalaureate examination, but its graduates can continue their education at a second-degree vocational school.
- Second-degree vocational school – 2 years of study. Allows students to take the State Vocational Examination and obtain the title of technician, as well as to take the matriculation examination. Graduates can continue their education in higher education or start working.
- Post-secondary school. Designed for people who have completed general secondary education and wish to obtain a qualification in a chosen profession.
Foreigners legally residing in Poland have the right to receive education in Polish institutions on the same basis as Polish citizens. They are entitled to additional support, which is described at tab Special rights of foreigners.
Legal basis:
Act of December 14, 2016 – Education Law (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 737, 854, 1562, 1635), with respect to foreigners, specifically Chapter 7 (Articles 165-167 of this Act).
Regulation of the Minister of National Education of August 23, 2017 on the education of persons who are not Polish citizens and persons who are Polish citizens and who have received education in schools operating in the educational systems of other countries (Journal of Laws of 2023 item 2301)
Additional information:
Information on the education of people arriving from abroad in the Polish education system – Ministry of National Education – Gov.pl Portal (www.gov.pl)
Education of children arriving from abroad in the Polish education system – Ministry of National Education – Gov.pl Portal (www.gov.pl)
Information current as of: .
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