Health education does not contradict the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland; This is a topic of great need for Polish youth – Barbara Nowacka, the Minister of National Education, told PAP, referring to the position of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. According to the bishops, the subject is contrary to the Basic Law.
The Polish Bishops’ Conference has provided PAP with its position on the subject of health education, prepared by the Ministry of National Education.
According to the bishops, the topic prepared by the Ministry of Education is contrary to the Constitution. Referring to art. In Articles 48 and 53 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, the hierarchs emphasized that “sexual education, in accordance with the Constitution, remains the competence of the parents, and not of the state.”
Parents have the right to raise their children in accordance with their own beliefs and to provide them with moral and religious education in accordance with their beliefs
– said the bishops.
Asked by PAP to comment on the position of the Polish Episcopate, the Minister of Education emphasized that health education not only does not contradict the provisions of the Constitution, but that it is a subject that is “very necessary for the Polish youth ‘.
This is a topic where young people learn about their mental and physical health, prevention and the need for research
– she noticed.
Nowacka’s stories
According to Nowacka, during the lessons on family life, “in a sense, human sexual health became taboo and separated from health in general, making it a unique topic.”
Health is important in every aspect and if we want to equip a young person with, among other things: with immunity, such an item is simply necessary
– she assessed.
The Minister of Education emphasized that “preparing the core curriculum is the responsibility of the Ministry of National Education, and not of the episcopate.”
Just as the Ministry of National Education does not assess what the core curriculum for catechesis looks like, it is not the role of the National Education Committee to assess the core curriculum of other subjects.
– she noted.
Nowacka also referred to the bishops’ accusation that “sex education, in accordance with the Constitution, remains the responsibility of parents, and not of the state.”
Soon someone may appear who will question biology, because you can also learn something about sexual life there. Or perhaps someone will question physics, which may conflict with beliefs in the supernatural. Education and science are simply necessary in the 21st century
– she made a reservation.
The subject of health education should be introduced in schools from the 2025/2026 school year instead of the subject of education for family life. Unlike WDŻ, health education should be a compulsory subject. On Friday, November 15, the draft amendment to the framework curriculum regulations, in which this subject was introduced, was submitted for consultation.
The project of the Ministry of National Education shows that – depending on age – health education will cover, among other things: what anti-vaccine movements are and how to recognize misinformation about vaccinations; what are the contraceptive methods, what is the difference between naprotechnology and in vitro and what are the risks associated with different aspects of sexuality.
When it comes to sexual health, the proposal says the student will: explain the concept of sexuality; discusses contraceptive methods, their mechanism of action and criteria for selecting the appropriate method. It discusses the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and diseases, explains the difference between living with HIV and AIDS, and lists places (e.g. consultation and diagnostic points) where free and anonymous tests can be carried out.
It also mentions the factors that affect human fertility and ways to take care of it; discusses the phenomenon of infertility, identifies its possible causes (including those related to an unhealthy lifestyle), and discusses its effects and treatment options; discusses assisted reproduction methods (distinguishes between nanotechnology and in vitro methods). Explains the concepts: miscarriage, abortion; lists the ethical, legal, health and psychosocial conditions related to termination of pregnancy.
In addition, it discusses forms of sexual violence, including sexual harassment, and myths about it; ways to respond when they experience sexual violence or when someone tells them about such an experience.
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Source: wPolityce