Przemysław Czarnek, the Minister of Education and Science, told Radio Zet that talks with PSL are ongoing and that discussions are not limited to a single group. When asked who is in these conversations, he said they involve PSL but did not disclose specifics.
There is a real possibility that the president will appoint Mateusz Morawiecki as prime minister. After that, intensive discussions are expected to last about four weeks, according to the minister.
In response to whether these conversations involve very senior figures, Czarnek replied that they do indeed include high-ranking representatives.
He noted that he has met with members of the People’s Party many times over the last three years, including in their offices. He stressed that the cooperation has been strong and will likely continue, even if the exact outcomes remain uncertain.
Household responsibilities in schools were also a topic of discussion. The idea of banning homework has been floated by political opponents during the campaign, including figures from Poland 2050 who suggested giving up housework.
Czarnek explained that there is no rule mandating homework for students. It is up to teachers and schools to implement the curriculum in their own way.
He argued that eliminating homework altogether would raise practical questions. Without a home study obligation, a student might arrive unprepared for a test the next day, especially if there is no incentive to study outside school hours. This scenario was presented as a potential failure of a broad ban on household work in schooling.
When asked whether abolishing homework would lead to the disappearance of schooling as such, the minister emphasized that if there is no requirement to prepare at home, students like Piotr Kowalski, a first-year high school student, might claim they were not prepared for a test simply because they were not required to study at home.
The discussion then turned to study load. The minister acknowledged that many feel the current schedule is too demanding. He said expert committees are working on slimming down the core curriculum to relieve pressure, though this does not equate to removing homework entirely. The plan is to eliminate homework for younger primary students, those in early grades, who can complete assignments in community centers with teachers there.
Regarding teacher laptops and vouchers, Czarnek reassured that all teachers will receive the promised equipment. He clarified that the distribution will occur during the current school year and that every teacher should have it by December 31. The aim is to ensure widespread access to the necessary devices.
Under the law supporting digital competencies for students and teachers, teachers will receive vouchers worth PLN 2,500 to purchase laptops. This applies to staff employed at both public and non-public primary and secondary schools as of September 30, 2023.
The law also sets out that the minister responsible for digitalization must designate which groups of teachers are eligible for support, considering school type, the subject taught, and socio-economic conditions. According to the regulation, from October 10, applications for vouchers could be submitted by a wide range of primary school teachers, including those teaching grades IV–VIII, after‑school club instructors, teacher librarians, and teachers on maternity or parental leave. The regulation also notes that additional groups of teachers may be added later to broaden eligibility.
Readers were reminded of other political discussions, including comments from Kosiniak-Kamysz about the opposition’s process in selecting a prime minister candidate and the intention to communicate the decision publicly. The coverage here is presented as part of the ongoing policy debate in education and governance.
edy for PAP
Source: wPolityce