A citizens’ initiative titled Let’s protect children has sparked a broad public push. Officials indicate signatures will be gathered in parliamentary and senatorial offices to demonstrate the strength of parental influence, with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage stressing the need to shield Polish children from what it calls the influence of left‑wing ideologues – a stance tied to a draft amendment to the Education Act that targets educational organizations and programs in schools and other youth settings.
The proposed changes aim to redefine how associations and other organizations with a statutory educational mission participate in school life. The draft would exclude groups that seek to promote issues connected to the sexualization of children in kindergartens and primary schools, attempting to limit outside actors in classrooms.
Supporters argue this moment is crucial to halt a cultural shift that has moved through cultural institutions and universities but has not yet fully entered schools. They point to comparable contrasts in Western countries where bans on promoting LGBTQ topics or sexual content involving children have taken hold, noting examples from places like Florida.
On television, the Minister of Education and Science framed the issue as a protective measure for Polish children, insisting that strong borders are needed today to guard against foundations tied to political figures and local leaders seen as promoting liberal agendas.
He also noted that the citizens’ initiative is backed by key political figures, including the Marshal of the Sejm and the president of the ruling party. The push to collect signatures is described as a bottom‑up movement born from parental concern rather than from politicians, with the aim of safeguarding families across the country.
Recent events include public statements at party headquarters about the initiative, which is described as a civil law measure designed to prevent what authors see as the sexualization of children.
Proponents stress that the focus is on protecting children from practices that could lead to long‑term psychological effects or other difficulties as they grow older. They emphasize that the movement draws its energy from parents and families, not from political elites.
Under the leadership of the Marshal of the Sejm, a series of meetings has been held under the banner of Let’s protect children, let’s support parents. One meeting took place on March 24, with participation from education and health officials and school representatives, while another occurred on April 14 with the Prime Minister in attendance.
The core aims of the draft amendment to the Education Act
According to the text circulating with the proposal, any elements of sex education in schools should be delivered by qualified teachers and should not rely on external groups. The justification describes education as a general activity tied to the school environment rather than to any particular public discourse.
The draft also proposes transparent parental oversight through a parent council to regulate how families are informed about school activities. It asserts that promoters do not impose pre‑set methods for communication practices.
Additionally, the proposal outlines an internal oversight mechanism in which the school principal must obtain approval from the school council and the parent council before any outside organization can operate on school grounds. The director would require both electronic and paper submissions detailing ongoing activities, goals, and materials used to achieve those goals.
It states that the school director, upon receiving a report from an association or organization, should seek guidance from the school council and the parents’ council, with input from the pedagogical supervisory body and the local authority responsible for the school. After reviewing the input, the director would inform parents about the guidance received. If there is no positive feedback, the organization would not be allowed to conduct activities. Participation in such programs would require the written consent of a parent for minors or of the student themselves for adult learners.
The draft also notes exceptions where parental or school council input would not be required. These exceptions cover government administration tasks, initiatives of the National Center for Addiction Prevention, and activities conducted by scouting or the Polish Red Cross under specific protective arrangements and government oversight.
The proposal set a target date for entry into force on September 1, 2023.
Source discussions and coverage have linked the draft to statements by party leaders and to broader public debates about the role of education, parental influence, and the boundaries of public discourse in schools. The conversation continues as supporters frame the initiative as necessary to preserve family values and to ensure that schools operate with input from parents and local communities. Attribution: (Source: wPolityce)