Ukrainians in Poland have been given instructions on how to enroll a child in school in 2024

Education for Ukrainian children in Poland plays an important role in their integration and adaptation to a new environment in a completely different country with a different language, traditions and customs. To enroll your child in a Polish school, you need to choose an educational institution, collect the necessary documents and submit an application. Let's talk a little bit more in detail.

School choice

To choose a suitable school for Ukrainian children in Poland, start by searching for an educational institution in your place of residence. To do this, you can use the Register of Schools and Schools in Poland (RSPO). This register will help you find schools available in your area and get information about each of them.

After selecting a school, it is recommended to contact the local education department (Kuratorium oświaty) or directly to the school administration for detailed information about the enrollment process and required documents. You can also call the hotline at 22 34 74 708 for advice.

Required documents

To enrol your child in school in Poland in 2024, you will need the following documents: the child's passport or birth certificate, PESEL (identification number), residence contract and information about the child's academic performance. In some cases, documents may need to be translated and certified, especially if they are issued by foreign institutions.

In exceptional cases, it is possible to enroll a child with only a passport and a statement from the parent, but this depends on the specific school and situation. Additionally, foreign children are entitled to free Polish language classes during the first year of schooling.

Submitting an application

cThere are two ways to apply for a school in Poland in 2024: personal visit or online application.

Personal visit: It is necessary to visit the selected school and submit a package of documents including the child's passport or birth certificate, PESEL, residence contract, and information about the child's academic performance.

Online submission: This requires a trusted profile (Profil zaufany), which confirms identity on the public services portal. The online application process includes authorization on the portal, filling in all sections of the application and attaching the required documents.

It is important to remember that a trusted profile (Profil zaufany) is required to confirm your identity and submit your application electronically.

Read also: Getting double diplomas: Ukrainian and Polish programs

Additional activities

cFree additional Polish language classes are organized for Ukrainian children arriving in Poland. Such courses are offered both online and offline, which allows to reach children in different regions of the country. For example, the Language Supp program offers online Polish language lessons for children from 6 to 18 years old. To enroll, you need to create an account on the platform, pass a language proficiency test and start learning in the appropriate group.

Adaptation programs are very important for successful integration into Polish society. The Polish Ministry of Education provides additional places in schools and Polish language classes that take place at least 6 hours a week. This helps children to adapt more quickly to a new language environment and curriculum.

Features of Polish schools and key differences from Ukrainian schools

Polish schools have their own peculiarities that distinguish them from Ukrainian schools:

• Grading system. Polish schools use a 6-point grading system, where 1 is the minimum grade and 6 is the maximum grade. In primary grades, descriptive assessment is often used instead of grades.
• Learning structure. Education in Poland consists of elementary school (szkoła podstawowa) from grades 1 through 8. After that, students can continue their studies in lyceum, technical or vocational schools.
• Additional lessons: Polish schools offer additional Polish language lessons for foreign students to help them integrate and adapt to the learning environment.
• Adaptation programs. Special programs including language courses and psychological support are often organized for Ukrainian children to help them adapt to their new educational environment.
• Rights and Opportunities. Foreign children are entitled to free education in Polish public schools under the same conditions as Polish children.

These features help Ukrainian students to adapt more quickly and successfully integrate into Polish society.