Will Poland make health education compulsory or not?

"The class on health education covers a broad range of themes including physical and mental health, healthy eating, the influence of the environment on people, and dangers associated with social media use and drugs. However, of all ten modules in the new health education curriculum, one caused a massive public outcry: sex education."

"Among other things, the module on sex education addresses a variety of subjects relating to sexuality such as contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and sexual violence. Right-wing political organizations and the Catholic Church have warned of the 'corruption' of children and are calling for the removal of the class from the school curriculum at best immediately."

"Education has long been an ideological battleground in Poland. During its eight years in power (2015-2023), the right-wing conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party increased its control of schools in the country. A 'patriotic education' and imparting 'conservative values' were declared overarching priorities."

Poland's new school year introduced a non-mandatory health education class addressing physical and mental health, nutrition, environmental impacts, social media dangers, and drug risks. The sex education module, covering contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual violence, triggered significant public backlash. Right-wing political organizations and the Catholic Church oppose the curriculum, claiming it corrupts children and demanding its removal. Education has been ideologically contested in Poland, with the previous conservative Law and Justice government prioritizing patriotic education and conservative values. The center-left coalition under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, elected in late 2023, promised educational reform. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka revised the curriculum and replaced the previous family life education class with this new health education program, symbolizing the policy shift.

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