Poland updates teacher qualifications for new school subjects

Poland's Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, has signed an amendment to regulations regarding teacher qualifications, set to take effect on September 1, 2026. The changes aim to provide schools with greater flexibility in staffing new and modified subjects.

A key component of the reform is the introduction of health education as a mandatory subject starting in the 2026/2027 school year. This mandatory version will exclude the sexual health module. Separate qualifications will be required for the optional 'health education – sexual health' module, which may be taught by biology, physical education, and psychology teachers, as well as medical professionals with pedagogical training.

The regulation also clarifies qualifications for other subjects. Primary school nature studies may be taught by biology, geography, physics, or chemistry teachers. Civic education will be handled by history and social studies teachers, while defense education will be led by safety education teachers. Additionally, technology teachers will be qualified to lead practical-technical classes.