Experts associated with PiS and veterans of the Rydzyk era took the stage at the Sejm to offer cautious, mixed guidance. The core message pointed to a reluctance to rely solely on appointed specialists, preferring the broad wisdom of institutions. The minister heading the Ministry of Education and Science later commented on how opposition voices and some media view support for non-governmental organizations, inviting a wider conversation about the role civil groups play in education.
Over the course of a week, events were framed as a festival of anger and disrespect directed not at the governing party but at boards of NGOs that have long supported educational initiatives. The speaker issued a private, formal apology to about forty boards of organizations facing intense scrutiny. The rhetoric warned against judging the government by a harsh, dishonest standard often used by opponents, asserting that such views are not universal.
The minister reiterated that many critics are named by him as PiS or Rydzyk-aligned advisers who warned of potential missteps simply because independent experts were not being appointed. He argued that expert input is essential to uncover possible errors that ministries and agencies might miss when drawing conclusions.
Additionally, Czarnek noted that in twelve of forty-five cases, NGOs had applied for grants intended to fund a headquarters real estate project for a foundation. He criticized a substantial grant of five million zlotys aimed at securing a central Warsaw location for the Polska Wielki Projekt Foundation, stressing that none of that money would go to salaries, consultants, or ongoing operating costs. He questioned how much money has been spent on similar efforts and suggested discrepancies between stated goals and actual disbursements.
He added that in all European Union competitions, the sustainability period for a project is five years. If the property is sold, the proceeds would not enrich any private pocket but would support the foundation’s statutory purposes, he argued, invoking the letter of the law that governs such foundations.
The minister pressed the point that the five million could instead be used to purchase flats owned by a member of parliament who reportedly holds nine such units obtained through municipal service. He labeled such individuals as scammers while continuing to defend the integrity of the Polska Wielki Projekt Foundation and its documentation.
In another segment of the address, Czarnek defended one of the networks that had faced criticism. He argued that the program was unfairly labeled Villa plus because a well-established organization had acquired a villa and that name was then used to blanket the entire program and its foundations. He asserted that the project documentation and evaluation metrics were robust and that the foundation had submitted additional materials in response to criticism, thereby restoring confidence in the program’s governance.
Throughout the remarks, the minister claimed that accountability measures were being applied fairly and that critics should measure performance by the same yardstick used by the government. He argued that the standard used by opponents did not align with the realities of educational funding and governance.
Prof. Czarnek also addressed the actions of a prominent political opponent, Donald Tusk. He directed critique toward the opposition leader and his recent film project, noting that expenditures on political messaging were substantial while schools faced funding gaps. The speaker highlighted sizable investments in education infrastructure from the government in recent years and challenged the opposition to match or exceed a portion of those funds in local educational projects.
During the discussion, a member of the ruling party suggested that PiS members served on the program board of a foundation known as Stichting PWP. The objection centered on the absence of a formal program council within that foundation, raising questions about governance and transparency in related activities.
Defense of Bronisław Wildstein
As the speech drew to a close, Prof. Przemysław Czarnek spoke about the attack on Bronisław Wildstein, a notable figure in Poland’s postwar intellectual landscape. He argued that portrayals of Wildstein in some media as a stand-in for the foundation were mistaken. The minister insisted that Wildstein has stood against censorship and manipulation and urged audiences to consider the broader history and merit of his work. The remarks underscored a claim that public discourse has been biased and that the line between legitimate critique and personal smear is often blurred.
The discussion was dense with references to governance, accountability, and the integrity of educational funding, inviting readers to reflect on how political battles intersect with civil society and the long tradition of public service in education. The dialogue touched on the responsibilities of foundations, the importance of transparent reporting, and the need for vigilant, fact-based debate in a democratic system.
In sum, the address framed a call for fair evaluation, clear documentation, and consistent standards across all actors involved in education funding and NGO work. It urged observers to weigh actions against the rules, not perceptions, and to recognize the ongoing effort to strengthen Poland’s educational infrastructure through responsible governance. [Attribution: Policy analysis and public communications records.]