INTRODUCTION
Education is one of the most crucial areas where the integration of immigrants takes place. This applies to education at all levels, both formal and informal. The Model of Immigrant Integration distinguishes two areas of formal education - primary and higher education, for which various tasks are specified.
In Poland, everyone has the right to education. Education up to the age of 18 is compulsory, including immigrants, regardless of their form of residence in Poland. Foreigners staying in Poland on the basis of a visa can access education and care in public kindergartens, public primary schools, and secondary schools on terms applicable to Polish citizens until they turn 18 or complete secondary education.
Foreigners residing in Poland on the basis of various permits/visas (e.g., temporary residence permits, permanent residence permits, long-term EU resident permits, permits for humanitarian reasons, or obtaining refugee status or supplementary protection) can pursue and complete first-cycle studies, second-cycle studies, uniform master's degree studies, doctoral studies, as well as other forms of education. They can also participate in scientific research and development work.
1. Education system in Poland
1.1 Preschool education
Children between the ages of 3 and 6 attend preschool. A child who is 6 years old is required to complete a one-year preschool preparation program. This program can be carried out in a kindergarten, a preschool unit within an elementary school, or another form of preschool education. Preschool operates throughout the school year, except for breaks determined by the organization running the preschool.
1.2 Primary school
Education in public elementary schools is free of charge. Children start their education in the first grade at the age of 7. Classes are held in most schools from Monday to Friday, with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. Winter holidays in January or February last for two weeks, and summer holidays in July and August extend for over two months.
At the end of the eighth grade, students take the eighth-grade examination. This is a universal and mandatory exam that every student must take to complete their primary education. It covers compulsory subjects such as Polish, mathematics, and a foreign language. The results obtained in the exam, along with the final grades on the primary school certificate, serve as the basis for continuing education at the next level in post-primary school.
1.3 Post-primary school
After completing primary school, a student has the right to choose to continue their education in a general high school, a technical school, or a vocational school. Admission to general high schools is based on documentation (i.e. certificates), while admission to technical schools, level I vocational schools, level II vocational schools, and post-secondary vocational schools is based on documentation and a medical certificate containing an assessment of the student's health that confirms their fitness to undertake practical vocational training.
General high-school
A general high school, also known as a lyceum, is a 4-year post-primary school where students are educated according to the core general education curriculum. This school prepares students for the matriculation examination (matura). The matriculation examination is not mandatory, and each graduate of a post-primary school (general high school for youth, technical school, level II vocational school, general high school for adults) independently decides whether to take it.
A positive result in the matriculation examination (obtaining a matriculation certificate) is necessary to begin higher education at a Polish university. A graduate of a general high school can pursue studies at a post-secondary school (no need to pass the matriculation examination and obtain a matriculation certificate). Completing a general high school provides a general secondary education but does not lead to a specific profession.
Technical school
A technical school is a 5-year post-primary school where students receive education in a chosen field of vocational education. Upon completing a technical school, students have vocational qualifications, enabling them to enter the workforce. They also have the option to take the matriculation examination and pursue higher education. Graduating from a technical school provides vocational secondary education, granting qualifications for a specific profession.
Students in technical schools take an external state examination conducted by a regional examination board. Successfully passing the vocational exams and completing the school program results in the title of "technician." In technical school, students learn both general and vocational subjects.
The vocational examination is an external examination that can be conducted throughout the school year, with the practical part taking place during summer or winter breaks.
Vocational school
Education in a level I vocational school lasts for 3 years and includes both general and vocational education, following the classification of vocational education. Practical vocational training, known as practical vocational education, can take place at the school, with employers (as apprentice workers), in vocational training centers, or in adult education facilities.
Upon completing a level I vocational school and passing a vocational examination or journeyman examination, graduates obtain a vocational diploma or, respectively, a journeyman certificate. They also receive basic vocational education. A graduate of a level I vocational school can either enter the workforce or continue their education in a level II vocational school or an adult general high school.
A 2-year level II vocational school is intended for graduates of level I vocational schools who have passed a vocational examination in the field of the first qualification in the profession taught at the level II vocational school.
Students take an external state examination conducted by a regional examination board. Successfully passing the vocational examination and completing the school program results in the title of "technician." A level II vocational school graduate obtains vocational secondary education and can take the matriculation examination.
Post-secondary school
A post-secondary school allows individuals with secondary education to obtain a diploma certifying vocational qualifications in a specific field of vocational education by passing the required exams in a regional examination board.
The basic requirement for admission to a post-secondary school is general secondary education or vocational (technical) secondary education, and it does not require the matriculation examination. Foreigners are required to document their secondary education (information about the procedure for confirming education is provided below).
Education in post-secondary schools ranges from 1 to 2.5 years, depending on the profession being taught. Training for certain professions can be conducted online (distance learning). Post-secondary school education encompasses both theoretical and practical vocational education. In addition, students are required to complete mandatory vocational internships.
1.4. Higher education
Higher education is divided into bachelor's or engineering programs of the first cycle, which last for 3 years or 3.5 years, and master's programs of the second cycle, which encompass 1.5 years or 2 years, or integrated master's programs that span 5 years. Admission to these programs is open to graduates of post-primary schools who have successfully passed the matriculation examination and met additional criteria outlined in the admission documents for a given academic year. The academic year in Poland runs from October 1st to September 30th. It includes two examination sessions: winter and summer, during which students take exams and assessments. The academic year is divided into two semesters: winter and summer, with breaks between them, scheduled at specific times by individual institutions.
Bachelor's programs last for 3 years. To obtain a bachelor's degree, students must, in addition to passing all the required subjects, write a bachelor's thesis and defend it before an examination board.
Engineering programs last for 3.5 years. To obtain an engineering degree, students must write an engineering thesis and pass an engineering examination before an examination board.
Supplementary master's programs take either 2 years or 1.5 years, depending on the path chosen after completing the bachelor's or engineering program. These programs culminate, much like the bachelor's and engineering programs, in the defence of a master's thesis.
2. Guidelines for foreigners from Ukraine
2.1. Admission of students from Ukraine to Polish schools
Children and youth from Ukraine between the ages of 7 and 18 are admitted to public schools and provided with care and education under the same conditions as Polish citizens. Admission to schools is ongoing throughout the entire school year. To enrol a child in school, it is necessary to submit an application to the director of a public primary or secondary school in the district where the child from abroad is residing. If there are available places, the child will be admitted. In other cases, parents can contact the school management authority (e.g., the Department of Education of the Municipality or County) to request information regarding schools with available places. The grade level is determined based on documents issued by a foreign school. In the absence of these documents, parents can provide a statement regarding the total years of education abroad. Importantly, documents do not need to be translated by a certified translator into Polish.
The admission of students coming from abroad is regulated at the statutory level. This means that the legal basis for the student's presence in Poland does not affect their ability to be admitted to a public school and the possible forms of educational support.
2.2. Support for the education of students from abroad
Students who do not have a sufficient command of the Polish language to fully engage in their education at school have several options for support.
First, they can participate in additional Polish language classes. These classes can be conducted on an individual basis or in groups, with a minimum of 2 hours per week for an indefinite period.
Second, they can follow an adapted learning program within a preparatory class, where the teaching process is adjusted to the students' educational needs and abilities. This program typically lasts for one year, with the possibility of extending it to two years. Classes are held in groups of up to 15 students, with a minimum of 20 to 26 hours per week (depending on the school year and school type). Within these hours, students learn the Polish language and subject matter adjusted to their needs and abilities.
Third, they can receive assistance from someone proficient in their native language, employed as a teacher's aide. The person employed as a teacher's aide does not need to have pedagogical qualifications.
Fourth, they can take advantage of additional catch-up classes in subjects organized by the school management, but not for more than 12 months.
Importantly, decisions regarding the specific form of support are made by the school director in consultation with the school management. Additionally, the diplomatic or consular mission of the student's home country or cultural and educational associations of the student's nationality may, in cooperation with the school director and with the consent of the school management, organize language and culture classes related to the student's home country. The school provides free use of facilities and teaching aids for these purposes.
2.3. Psychological and pedagogical support
Foreign students may receive additional psychological and pedagogical support in connection with their migration experiences. This support involves recognizing and meeting individual developmental and educational needs, as well as identifying individual psychophysical capabilities and environmental factors that influence their functioning.
Psychological and pedagogical support in the school is organized by the school director, and it is provided by teachers, homeroom teachers, and specialists responsible for psychological and pedagogical support within the school. These specialists may include psychologists, pedagogues, speech therapists, career counsellors, and educational therapists, among others.
Psychological and pedagogical support is organized and provided in cooperation with the students' parents and can also involve collaboration with other entities, such as psychological and pedagogical advisory centres, teacher training institutions, other schools, non-governmental organizations, and other institutions and entities working for the well-being of families, children, and youth. The terms of cooperation between the school and these entities are agreed upon by the school director.
3. Educational map of Starachowice
3.1. Preschools
Kubuś Puchatek municipal preschool no 2 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Oświatowa 2, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 63 86
E-mail: dyrektor.pm2@starachowice.eu
Website: pm2.starachowice.eu
Municipal preschool no 6 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Św. Barbary 4, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 79 69
E-mail: przedszkolenr6st-ce@wp.pl
Website: pm6starachowice.pl
Municipal preschool no 7 in Starachowice
Address: al. Armii Krajowej 6a, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 27 90
E-mail: pm7@onet.eu
Website: pm7starachowice.pl
Niezapominajka municipal preschool no 10 in Starachowice
Addsres: ul. Ignacego Prądzyńskiego 2a, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 273 20 68
E-mail: pm10starachowice@onet.eu
Website: pm10.starachowice.eu
Miś Uszatek municipal preschool no 11 with integrative units in Starachowice
Address: ul. Górna 13, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 24 10
E-mail: pm11@pm11.starachowice.eu
Website: pm11.starachowice.eu
Municipal preschool no 13 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Leśna 40, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 27477 75
E-mail: przedszkole13@o2.pl
Website: pm13.starachowice.eu
Jan Brzechwa municipal preschool no 14 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Graniczna 10, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 85 80
E-mail: info@pm14.pl
Website: pm14.starachowice.eu
Municipal preschool no 15 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Na Szlakowisku 7b, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 84 66
E-mail: przedszkole_nr15@o2.pl
3.2. Primary schools
Jan Kochanowski primary school no 1 in Starachowice
Address: ul. 1 Maja 11, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 61 34
E-mail: sp1stce@wp.pl
Website: www.sp1starachowice.pl
Jan Paweł II primary school no 2 in Starachowice
Addsres: ul. Ostrowiecka 134, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 273 25 24
E-mail: sp2starachowice@wp.pl
Website: sp2starachowice.szkolna.net
Obrońcy Westerpaltte primary school no 6 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Stanisława Moniuszki 117, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 273 31 26
E-mail: sp6_lubianka@op.pl
Website: sp6starachowice.szkolna.net
Partyzanci Ziemi Kieleckiej primary school no 9 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Oświatowa 5, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 55 56
E-mail: sp9starachowice@vp.pl
Website: sp9starachowice.szkolna.net
Szare Szeregi primary school no 10 with integrative units in Starachowice
Address: al. Armii Krajowej 1, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 61 79
E-mail: sp10integra@wp.pl
Website: sp10starachowice.szkolna.net
Mjr. Jan Piwnika „Ponury” primary school no 11 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Leśna 2, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 74 07
E-mail: sp11stce@poczta.onet.pl
Website: sp11.starachowice.eu
Mikołaj Kopernik primary school no 12 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Słoneczna 1a, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 55 67
E-mail: sp12@sp12.starachowice.eu
Website: www.sp12starachowice.pl
Kornel Makuszyński primary school no 13 in Starachowice
Addsres: ul. Ignacego Prądzyńskiego 2, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 273 20 70
E-mail: sp13starachowice@op.pl
: www.sp13starachowice.pl
3.3. Post-primary schools
Tadeusz Kościuszko high school no 1 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Radomska 37, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 77 02
E-mail: lo1@lo1.starachowice.pl
Website: www.lo1.starachowice.pl
Stanisław Staszic high school no 2 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Szkolna 12, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 60 62
E-mail: sekretariat@2lo.starachowice.pl
Website: 2lo.starachowice.pl
Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński high school no 3 with integrative units in Starachowice
Address: al. Świętego Jana Pawła II 18, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel: 41 274 51 16
E-mail: lo3_star@op.pl
Website: www.3lo.starachowice.pl
Mjr. H. Dobrzański „Hubal” vocational school complex no 1 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Radomska 72, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 52 74
E-mail: zsz1stce@pro.onet.pl
Website: zsz1.starachowice.pl
Vocational school complex no 2 in Starachowice
Address: ul. 1-go Maja 4, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 62 40
E-mail: sekretariat@technikum.net.pl
Website: technikum.net.pl
Vocational school complex no 3 in Starachowice
Address: ul. Szkolna 10, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 72 52
E-mail: zsz3@zsz3.internetdsl.pl
Website: zsz3.net
3.4. Extracurricular facilities
Inter-School Center for Corrective and Compensatory Gymnastics in Starachowice
Address: ul. Glinianan 10A, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 71 96
E-mail: mogkik@mogkik.pl
Website: www.mogkik.pl
Psychological-Pedagogical Counseling Center in Starachowice
Address: ul. Radomska 72, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 73 85
E-mail: poradnia_st@wp.pl
Website: poradniastarachowice.pl
Special School and Educational Center in Starachowice
Address: ul. Stanisława Staszica 16, 27-200 Starachowice
Tel.: 41 274 71 73
E-mail: soswstce@pro.onet.pl
Website: www.sosw.starachowice.pl
3.5. Higher education institutions
PWSH „POMERANIA” Branch Faculty Dean's Office in Starachowice
Address: ul. Stanisława Wigury 18,
27-200 Starachowice
Tel. 888 540 822
E-mail: pwsh@pomeraniastarachowice.edu.pl
Website: http://www.pomeraniastarachowice.edu.pl/
