The biggest omission in modern schooling is the lack of education about recent history. Education and Science Minister Przemysław Czarnek delivered this message on Monday during a visit to Ostrołęka in Poland, highlighting that history should not be a tool for shaming but a source of understanding and national pride.
During his visit to the Cultural Center of Ostrołęka, the minister spoke to an audience about a lecture titled “Heritage for the Future.” Earlier, he paid respects at the Museum of the Cursed Soldiers in Ostrołęka, honoring nurse and liaison officer Danuta Czekakówna, known by the alias Inka, who passed away 77 years ago. This moment connected the present to those who fought for Poland’s survival and independence.
Documentary from 2014
After touring the museum, a document from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, dated January 22, 2014, came into view. The file discussed the financing of the museum project and noted that funding had been denied for several reasons. Yet the minister emphasized that the document underscored the project’s significance to the state’s cultural and historical policy, even if the points awarded were zero.
The minister argued that the decision reflected a broader push to honor a pedagogy of pride—an effort to remind the public of the uprising in Zamość and other acts of resistance that shaped the nation’s memory.
From his perspective, many people treat the past as unimportant. He described this stance as the outcome of harsh actions that harmed bonds between neighbors and violated basic freedoms protected by law. There is a desire to draw a thick line and pretend the past does not exist, but the minister insisted that one cannot build a future without acknowledging history.
He stressed the necessity of guiding citizens away from selfishness, presenting history in a way that explains why Poles have cause for pride. The aim, he said, is to illustrate the favorable circumstances under which future generations—children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—will live, reinforcing a sense of national identity.
The minister also noted that the political party in power has long prioritized both modernity and tradition in education, with a clear intention to pass heritage to the younger generation. He pointed out that programs should help youth understand who they are and where they come from, strengthening collective memory and cultural continuity.
Serious omission
As the minister acknowledged, the insufficient emphasis on modern history within Polish schools traces back to decades of neglect. He questioned why recent history has not been a more central part of education, describing the situation as a systemic choice that allowed shame to influence perceptions and policies. He hinted that the issue is tied to financial and moral dimensions, including the way history is framed and taught.
According to his view, the narrative has often left out recent events since 1939, depriving new generations of vital context and portraying earlier eras in a skewed light. He reiterated the importance of a new subject that covers both history and the present, arguing that understanding the current era depends on a solid grasp of what came before.
The discussion concluded with a call to integrate heritage into ongoing education initiatives, ensuring that younger readers are aware of who they are and the path that led to the contemporary Polish state. The remarks echoed a broader debate about how to teach history in a way that is accurate, engaging, and empowering for students. (citation: wPolityce)
Overall, the focus remained on how education can bridge the past with the future, fostering a sense of pride while encouraging critical reflection about national events and their lasting impact. (citation: wPolityce)