Curriculum, subjects, number of hours

The range of programmes for individual occupations which are available in post-secondary schools are laid down in the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of 15 February 2019 on the general aims and tasks of sectoral vocational education and the Classification of Occupations for Sectoral Vocational Education, as subsequently amended (Rozporządzenie Ministra Edukacji Narodowej z dnia 15 lutego 2019 r. w sprawie ogólnych celów i zadań kształcenia w zawodach szkolnictwa branżowego oraz klasyfikacji zawodów szkolnictwa branżowego, z późn. zm.).

Post-secondary schools can provide programmes in the following areas or sectors: the audiovisual sector; economics and administration; hairdressing and beauty services; precision mechanics; personal and property protection and security; horticulture; healthcare; printing and bookselling; social services; information and communication technology; and water transport. Healthcare, personal and property protection and security, and hairdressing and beauty services have invariably remained the most popular areas of study for years.

Outline timetable for post-secondary schools are currently set out in the Regulation of the Minister of National Education of 20 May 2024 on the outline timetables for public schools , as subsequently amended (Rozporządzenie Ministra Edukacji Narodowej z dnia 20 maja 2024 r. w sprawie ramowych planów nauczania dla publicznych szkół, z późn. zm.).

Outline timetable for post-secondary schools (for young people)

The minimum number of teaching/class hours for compulsory classes per week (the total number of hours is not specified): 

The school head distributes the hours for vocational training for a given occupation between theoretical and practical training. However, the number of hours for practical training may not be lower than 50% of the total number of hours allocated to vocational training. 

Post-secondary schools for young people also offer additional classes and sign language classes if the body administering a given school allocates hours for such classes.

Furthermore, learners are offered counselling and guidance (so-called psychological and educational support) classes which aim to address their individual developmental and educational needs.

Learners undertake compulsory practical placements. The core curriculum for a specific occupation sets the duration of a placement. 

Teaching Methods and Materials

Subject teachers are free to choose teaching methods and approaches. However, this is partly determined by the number of learners per class, the specificity of each occupation and teaching and learning facilities and resources available in the school (for example, the number of computers or workbenches in a vocational training workshop, and other teaching aids).