Poland to Launch Health Education in Schools

Starting September 1, 2025, Polish schools will offer Edukacja zdrowotna (Health Education) as an optional subject. The program was proposed by the Ministry of National Education and is led by Minister Barbara Nowacka, with Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announcing its launch. It will replace the former Family Life Education classes and be available to students in primary and secondary schools (Edukacja). 

Classes will encompass much more than just medical or biological knowledge. The program will also address issues related to emotions, relationships, responsibility, values, and well-being. Students will learn to make informed health decisions, promote a healthy lifestyle, and manage threats—from infectious diseases to addictions and disinformation.

The classes will be conducted for one hour per week and will cover topics such as physical activity, nutrition, mental and sexual health, addiction prevention, and social skills like communication, empathy, stress management, and relationship-building. The program is also designed to support inclusive education, with materials adaptable to individual student needs (Edukacja).

Health education will be provided by teachers with appropriate pedagogical training, including graduates of health education programs or those with postgraduate degrees in this field. Teachers of biology, physical education, and family life education will also be able to conduct classes, as well as specialists with medical training—doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists—provided they possess teaching qualifications. Schools can implement the program flexibly, with teams of teachers collaborating, and the Ministry of National Education and National Education Institute (ORE) have prepared guides, curricula, textbooks, and digital resources. Teacher training workshops on sensitive topics and relationship-building are also underway (Edukacja).

Some challenges remain. The one-hour-per-week format may limit the depth of coverage, and optional participation could create inconsistencies across schools. Scheduling sensitive topics and ensuring enough qualified teachers may be difficult, especially in smaller or rural schools (Business Insider).

Supporters, including experts, stress that Health Education is a vital tool for giving students lifelong health knowledge and skills. Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka described it as "the best-prepared curriculum in years" and encouraged parents to consider enrolling their children. Participation remains voluntary, with parents able to submit a written exemption by September 25, 2025 (tvn24).