Facts: Poland and education

Country: Poland (Polska) is officially called the Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska).
Responsible for education: the Ministry of Education and Science (Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki) is responsible for all types of education.
Changes: in 2016 it was decided that major changes were needed in primary and secondary education. Primary education is changing from 6 years to 8 years. As a result, follow-up education is also changing. Schools are slowly introducing these changes. By 2023, the education system will be completely adjusted.
Member of the European Union: since 2004.
Bologna process: since 1990, students have been able to take bachelor’s and master’s programmes. In 1999, Poland signed the Bologna Declaration. See also the page on Poland on the EHEA website.
International treaties: Poland ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention in 2004. The country has cooperation treaties with many countries, especially those in Central and Eastern Europe.
Compulsory education: ages 6 to 18. Until the age of 15, children have to attend school full-time; 15 to 18-year-olds may attend school part-time.
Language of instruction: mainly Polish. Poland has only small numbers of minorities. There are some schools that offer education in the minority language. Mostly German, but Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Rusyn/Lemko and Kashubian are also considered minority languages.
School year: from September (the first working day in September) to June.
School-leaving exams: in May.
Academic year: from October to June. There are 2 semesters.