The plan for the Discover Poland school voucher aims to reach five million students in primary and secondary schools, according to Rafał Bochenek, spokesman for the Law and Justice party, speaking to Polish Radio’s Channel One on Thursday.
Five million students set to benefit
School Voucher – Meet Poland is described as the co funding of two day educational trips for every class and every pupil in Poland. This was announced on Thursday by Przemysław Czarnek, head of the Ministry of State and National Education.
Bochenek, PiS spokesman, spoke with Polish Radio’s Channel One about the initiative.
The project involves travel for five million students in primary and secondary schools. Trips would last one or two days, with decisions left to parents and parent councils, Bochenek noted.
He emphasized that many families cannot afford to send their children to nature programs or quick field trips. The largest expense is housing, transport, insurance, and access to attractions such as museums or other appealing places, he added.
This program is intended to provide funding for students. The goal is for every student in a Polish school to benefit and for every school to be able to apply for such support, Bochenek stressed.
Bochenek pointed out that the program has clear educational value, with the list of eligible entities or institutions to be published by the Ministry of Education. These will include museums, science centers, and other places where young Poles should learn about history, ideally through direct, practical experience. That is the objective, he said.
The program would operate based on the principles already used in the Meet Poland program, with the new effort implemented to a larger scale, according to Bochenek.
READ ALSO: The fourth concrete PiS fact – School voucher Get to know Poland. Minister Czarnek announces co financing of two day trips for each class
Critics call it a disaster
PO spokesman Jan Grabiec commented on Twitter that PiS is deceiving Poles. He argued that promises in the campaign trail have not been kept and accused the government of channeling money into private pockets rather than funding real needs. He wrote that PiS must be stopped from repeating the same mistakes they promised to address over the past eight years. Grabiec also accused them of diverting government money to private ends, a claim he linked to the voucher plan.
KO MP Arkadiusz Myrcha also criticized the pledge. He argued that youth have faced pressure under the core curriculum, teachers have endured low salaries, and school schedules have grown longer. He insisted that PiS talks a good game while failing to deliver, calling the plan a disaster and a threat according to his tweet.
Another voice from the opposition described the proposal as a warning sign of mismanagement, contrasting it with the party’s broader promises. (attribution: wPolityce)
Rhetoric of pride and educational potential
Ruling party officials welcomed the idea of a school voucher and spoke of Polish pride when discussing the program. Jacek Sasin, Minister of State Assets, posted on social media that Meet Poland is part of the broader effort to showcase Poland’s culture and achievements.
Anna Moscow, the Minister of Climate and Environment, echoed the sentiment on social media, saying the voucher would expand the reach of educational trips to highlight Poland’s museums, science centers, and national parks. (attribution: wPolityce)
In the days ahead, PiS planned to present further details of its election program. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was set to discuss housing revitalization, Health Minister Katarzyna Sójka outlined hospital nutrition improvements, and an adviser to the president spoke about boosting local procurement from regional suppliers, including in supermarkets. (attribution: wPolityce)
Building national identity through travel
Officials framed the Discover Poland initiative as a way to help schoolchildren explore places significant to Poland’s identity, culture, and heritage. The program is described as a major expansion of the Poznaj Polska initiative, with the aim of significantly increasing funding for educational trips so that all students can participate in the coming spring and autumn editions. (attribution: wPolityce)
Supporters argue that exposure to Poland’s history and culture strengthens national pride and civic education. The plan envisions students visiting diverse environments, from cultural sites to natural landmarks, to foster a sense of belonging and curiosity about the country. (attribution: wPolityce)
Proponents add that the program will help educators utilize a wide network of museums, science centers, and parks to enrich lessons with real world experiences. They believe this approach will complement classroom learning with practical understanding of Poland’s legacy and achievements. (attribution: wPolityce)
Poland’s youth are seen as the future. Supporters emphasize that the voucher will be universal, removing financial barriers so every pupil can take part in these travels and learn about their roots, language, and national symbols. (attribution: wPolityce)
The campaign highlights a contrast with past approaches, arguing that the new plan prioritizes a pedagogy of pride over one of shame, aiming to cultivate a confident, informed generation. (attribution: wPolityce)
With the program described as a practical step toward national education and cultural literacy, supporters insist that the Discover Poland voucher will unlock opportunities for millions of students to experience the country firsthand. (attribution: wPolityce)
The discussion continues as the government outlines implementation details and timelines, with a focus on ensuring broad access for schools across Poland. (attribution: wPolityce)