From the 2026/2027 school year, health education will become a compulsory subject for primary and secondary school students. This change, although announced for months, is coming into force in the shadow of political disputes and social protests.
New item - old controversy
Health education is not completely new - last school year it replaced family life education, but then it was optional. Now, from September, every primary school student from grades IV to VIII will have one hour of these classes per week (in grade VIII until the end of January). In secondary schools, health education will be provided in two classes selected by the management (I and II or II and III or I and III), also for one hour a week.
In each school year, the number of hours of health education classes will be reduced by one hour in each of grades 4-6, and by two hours in each of grades 7 and 8.
In secondary schools, each school year the number of hours for these classes will be reduced by three hours in each grade.
Sexual health - only for those willing
The most exciting topic is the optional module on sexual health. As the Ministry of Education explains, the hours "saved" during compulsory classes are to be allocated to this module, but participation in it will be voluntary. Parents (in the case of underage students) or the students themselves, if they are adults, will decide about participation. These classes will not be graded and will not affect promotion to the next class.
Before starting classes, teachers are obliged to conduct information meetings with parents and students to present the program and teaching materials in detail. The school principal is responsible for organizing such meetings.
What will students learn in health education?
The core health education curriculum covers nine sections, including: values and attitudes, physical health, physical activity, nutrition, mental, social and environmental health, puberty, addiction prevention and the health care system.
Political and social disputes around health education
The introduction of health education was controversial from the beginning. Among those who protested against the new item were: Polish Episcopal Conference and the Coalition to Save the Polish School. The bishops emphasized that "sexual education, according to the constitution, remains the competence of parents, not the state," and "parents have the right to raise their children in accordance with their own beliefs."
In turn, the Ministry of National Education defends the changes, emphasizing that health education is a response to social needs and is holistic. The most important areas of state responsibility include health care and health education, emphasized the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka. Health education is an additional hour at school, but it is the best hour invested, he adds.
Who developed the core curriculum for health education?
The core curriculum was developed by a team of experts led by prof. Dr. hab. Zbigniew Izdebski. This is to be a school subject that is to support the educational role by transmitting knowledge based on scientific evidence - in this case regarding mental, physical, sexual health, prevention, etc. This requires appropriate competences that teachers will be equipped with - said the professor.
Teachers with appropriate qualifications are authorized to teach health education, including: biology, nature, physical education, psychology, as well as people with medical education and pedagogical training.
Application to the Constitutional Tribunal regarding health education
The introduction of the subject takes place in an atmosphere of uncertainty - PiS MPs have submitted an application to the Constitutional Tribunal to declare the provisions introducing health education unconstitutional. PiS vice-president Przemysław Czarnek also announced a request for security that would suspend the entry into force of the new regulations.
Minister Nowacka comments briefly on these actions: "This is an embarrassment." He emphasizes that "students do not have to take optional subjects if their parents decide so," and currently "we do not have a normally functioning Constitutional Tribunal."
