Ongoing reforms and policy developments

Introduction

This chapter provides a thematic and chronological overview of national reforms and policy developments since 2024.

The section on ongoing reforms and policy developments groups reforms in the following broad thematic areas that largely correspond to the following education levels:

• Early Childhood Education and Care
• General School Education
• Vocational Education and Training 
• Higher Education
• Adult Education and Training.

Inside each thematic area, reforms are organised chronologically. The most recent reforms are described first.

Overall national education strategy and key objectives

Current reforms in school education

Reform26. Compass of Tomorrow

Since 2025, educational reforms have been part of the ‘Reform26. Compass of Tomorrow’ programme — a large, long-term change to the education system, which is to come into full effect in 2026. The programme is intended to replace previous, scattered educational initiatives, giving them a coherent direction. As part of the programme, the following changes, among others, were introduced so far:

• Two new subjects: civic education and health education (extended formula)
• New core curriculum for physical education — more practical and project-based classes
• Reduction of religion classes to one hour per week, flexible grouping of pupils
• Changes to the Teacher's Charter including new rules on working hours and remuneration
• Greater autonomy for schools in offering sports classes and organising activities
• Ban on the use of mobile phones in schools.

From the 2026/2027 school year, a new national core curriculum for primary schools is being introduced – from 1 September 2026 in Grades 1 and 4, and in subsequent years in the remaining Grades.

In Grades 1–3, the core curriculum is integrated and based on fundamental and cross-curricular competences as well as agency, whilst in Grades 4–8 it covers a wide range of subjects, including citizenship, health and safety education.

The curriculum content has been organised into six cross-curricular modules (security and defence, media, philosophy, economics and finance, climate, and culture); optional requirements selected by the teacher (which are not assessed in the final eighth-grader examination) have been introduced, along with practical learning experiences. A project week for Grades 4–8 has also been included in the outline timetables.

Current reforms of the higher education system

Recent systemic changes in science and higher education have been implemented in the framework of “Strategy towards scientific excellence, modern higher education, partnership with business and social responsibility of science” (Strategia na rzecz doskonałości naukowej, nowoczesnego szkolnictwa wyższego, partnerstwa z biznesem i społecznej odpowiedzialności nauki).

This process has been implemented based on three elements:

1. Constitution for Science (Konstytucja dla Nauki) (systemic changes in science and higher education)
2. Innovations for the Economy (commercialisation of research and partnership with business)
3. Science for You (Nauka dla Ciebie) (social responsibility of science).

According to the approved legislation, the following groups benefit from these changes: academic and research community, children, young people, senior citizens, entrepreneurs, businessmen and women, investors, creative and ambitious persons, inventors, teachers, and NGOs. More information is available on the Ministry of Science and Higher Education webpage.

At the same time, as part of the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the reform entitled ‘Strengthening cooperation mechanisms between the scientific sector and industry’ was carried out, concluding on 30 June 2026.