Studying at school in Poland

Since 2015 pursuant to the applicable legislation of Poland all children aged 6 to 18 are obliged to study at local schools. This includes not only citizens of Poland, but also stateless teenagers. Migration status of parents has no influence on the need to perform this obligation, and if they ignore it, they might receive sanctions.

Working hours at schools are the same as in Ukraine – five-day working week with two days off. A school year begins on the 1st of September, just like in Ukraine. The school year continues until the last Friday of June.

In comparison to the Ukrainian system, the school year is divided in 2 semesters instead of 4 terms. The beginning of the second semester is in January, and the end – in June.

Grades are given according to the results of the year and put into a school report. It shows that the studying at school finished in the current period.

The cost of elementary education

There are no school fees at school in Poland, although this doesn’t mean that it will cost you nothing.

For example, books and food shall be fully paid by parents. Pupils will also need a school uniform, a sports uniform, stationeries.

Just like in Ukraine, schools in Poland provide raising money for class and school-wide expenses, excursions and trips outside the city.

One of the unusual things for the citizens of Ukraine is compulsory accident insurance of children attending school. However, it is rather an advantage, because the insurance works day and night, irrespective of whether a pupil was at school or not.

Reduction of expenses on school education

If you have difficult financial situation, there are several options to reduce expenses. Polish residents have an opportunity to file a request for social assistance with the applicable authorities in order to get study materials at lower prices and free school meal.

Without a legal status you may refer to a representative of a parents’ committee regarding getting help as to the paragraph mentioned above and reduction of payment for excursions and trips with a class. By the way, Polish are not ashamed of doing the same.

Additionally, there are different programs to help migrants, which you should also check.

What to do if a child doesn’t know the language?

For migrant children there are extracurricular classes at Polish schools, the aim of which is to improve the level of Polish. This includes also subjects that pupils didn’t study at local schools. The classes are free and they take no more 5 hours a week.

studying in Poland