The end of March 2025 is a time when many homes are talking about changes in the education system. Two new subjects have appeared on the horizon at school: civic education and health education. They arouse curiosity, sometimes anxiety, and above all - raise questions.
What exactly is civic education and health education, when will these subjects be introduced to schools? How will the new subjects at school affect students' daily lives, how many hours will be included in the core curriculum? Who can teach new subjects? In this article, we present parents with a clear picture of changes in education and 2 new subjects for the 2025/2026 school year.
Key dates: when will the new subjects be introduced in schools?
The main question that worries many parents is: since when exactly changes in education will become a fact in the school reality of children? The main date worth remembering is September 1, 2025, as the formal start of the introduction of new items.
Both civic education and health education will start to be implemented in the lesson plans of specific classes. from the school year 2025/2026.
Civic education – what subject is it?
Remember WOS or HiT? Forget about boring definitions and memorizing dates. Civic education (EO) this new subject at school, which is to be primarily practical. No more theory for theory's sake! The main goal? Equipping young people with tools that will allow them to function consciously and responsibly in a democratic society.
It is about building patriotic attitudes, pride in being Polish, but without closing oneself off from the world. Quite the opposite – civic education is supposed to shape openness, respect for others, empathy and solidarity. It's learning how to be an active citizen, who not only knows his rights, but is also able to act for the common good. This is a departure from passivity, towards making young people aware of their agency in the world.
Civics education: new school subject equips students with essential life skills
You already know what civic education is, but you're probably wondering what exactly your child will get out of these lessons? The core curriculum emphasizes 6 key civic skills:
- Searching and verifying information: In the age of "fake news" – priceless!
- Expressing your own opinion with arguments: No more “I don’t know,” time for informed opinions.
- Conducting a dialogue: The art of talking and listening, even when we disagree.
- Taking action: Solving social problems in practice.
- Influencing public authorities: How to make your voice heard?
- Dealing with official matters and protecting rights: Practical navigation in adult life.
What will be the topic of civic education??
As broad as social life itself! From family and school, through the local community, the homeland, to Europe and global dependencies. There will be lessons on, among others: patriotism, student self-government, the functioning of the commune, democracy, human rights, the functioning of the state (the Sejm, the President, the courts), but also on the European Union and the global challenges that the world is facing.
Most importantly, great emphasis will be placed on civic action (debates, social campaigns, volunteering) and educational projects, where students will work in groups to investigate specific issues or engage socially. This is supposed to be a living lesson in citizenship!
Health education - changes in education for a new perspective on health
The second new school subject, health education (HE), will be included in the curriculum from the 2025/2026 school year and will replace the well-known Family Life Education (FLI).
No obligation to participate, no grades
And here's the key information: EZ is not mandatory! Just like in the case of WDŻ, the parent will be able to submit a written resignation to the school principal if they do not want their child (underage) to participate in these classes. Adult students will make the decision themselves. What is more, these health education classes will not be assessed and will not affect promotion or graduation.
What is the goal of EZ? Shaping a wise, lifelong approach to health – one’s own and the surroundings. This is much more than WDŻ offered.
Deeper on health education: from body to mind and relationships
Programme health education will cover as many as 11 thematic areas:
- Values and attitudes towards health.
- Physical health.
- Physical activity.
- Nutrition.
- Sanity (coping with stress, emotions).
- Community health (relationships, communication).
- Ripening (only in primary schools).
- Sexual health.
- Environmental health (the influence of the environment on us).
- Internet and Addiction Prevention (digital and beyond).
- Healthcare system (only in secondary schools: how to use the healthcare system?).
The classes are to be held in groups of up to 24 people, and for more sensitive topics (mental health, sexual health) even smaller (up to 12 people).
Importantly, before the start of classes in each school year, the teacher and tutor are obliged to organize an information meeting for parents (and adult students).
Health and Citizenship Education: Who Can Teach New Subjects?
This is one of the key questions that parents and teachers are asking themselves: who can teach these new subjects? The case is ongoing, but a lot is already known.
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Civic Education
Although the ministry has not yet specified exactly, who can teach EO, it can be expected that the baton will be taken over mainly by teachers with experience in social sciences – the previous ones social studies or history teachers. The team of experts creating the core curriculum are precisely such specialists.
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Health Education
Here the range is wider - who can teach EZ? Not only will they have qualifications teachers of biology, nature, PE or the previous WDŻ, but also school psychologists and people with medical education (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, paramedics etc.) or in the field of public health - provided that you have pedagogical training. It will be possible to conduct classes by a team of teachers.
New subjects at school: how many hours and for which grades?
You already know what civic and health education are, so now let's get down to specifics - how many hours and in which grades will these new subjects be taught at school?
Civic Education Schedule – how many hours for each class?
- General Secondary School: 2 hrs/week in grade II + 1 hr/week in grade III.
- Technical school: 1 hour/week in grade II + 1 hour/week in grade III + 1 hour/week in grade IV.
- First Degree Vocational School: 1 hrs/week in grade II + 1 hr/week in grade III.
- Adult High School (full-time): 1 hrs/week in grade II + 1 hr/week in grade III.
- Adult High School (part-time): A total of 32 hours in the second year (16 per semester).
Warning: EO will be introduced successively from the 2025/2026 school year, starting with the second grades.
Health Education Schedule
How many hours for EZ? Here it's simpler: 1 hour per week. The subject will be implemented from the school year 2025/2026 in:
- Primary School: Grades 2025–26 (in grade XNUMX in XNUMX/XNUMX classes only until the end of January).
- First Degree Vocational School.
- General Secondary School: Grades I–III (except secondary school for adults).
- Technical school: Grades I–III.
Civic and health education: changes in education are needed
These changes in education are a big step that can really affect the future of our children. You already know what health and civic education are, and when the new subjects will be mandatory at school. Instead of fear, try to arm yourself with curiosity and commitment.
Remember that as a parent, you may be partner for school in the process of introducing new subjects at school. Follow the announcements of the Ministry and Education Offices together with teachers – knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your child's education!
REFERENCES
(access to all internet sources as of 27.03.2025/XNUMX/XNUMX):
- Core curricula for the subjects: civic education and health education signed by the Minister of Education
- New framework curricula – with civic education and health education
- Core curricula for the subjects: civic education and health education signed by the Minister of Education
- The head of the Ministry of National Education signed the core curricula for the following subjects: civic education and health education
- The Ministry of National Education has published a draft regulation on the method of teaching health education. The new subject will be optional and will not affect the promotion of students
- Civic Education. Dr Jędrzej Witkowski: We want to give a sense of agency to all students
- Framework teaching plans from September 2025 – published
- Health education instead of WDŻ. How will the organization of classes look like?
- The Ministry of National Education presents the assumptions of the core curriculum of the new subject of civic education
- Civic education and health education – core curricula for new subjects signed
- MEN responds to RPD: It will be possible to opt out of health education
