Only 37% of foreign students in Poland graduate; government set to change rules
-
Loading... - Angelina Casa
- 08 Jul 2024
- 62 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
The influx of foreign students into Poland over the past decade has sparked concerns and prompted the government to reassess its visa and education policies. According to a report by Rzeczpospolita, Polish universities have attracted a substantial number of foreign students, but graduation rates have been disappointingly low. Here are the key points highlighted in the article:
Enrollment and Graduation Rates
- Enrollment Trends: Since 2014, Poland has welcomed 321,000 foreign students from nearly 200 countries.
- Graduation Rates: Only 37% of these students have successfully graduated to date, raising concerns about the effectiveness of educational outcomes.
- Dropout Rates: Nearly half of the students who begin their studies in Poland do not progress beyond the first year.
Abuse of Visa System
- Visa System Exploitation: The government audit revealed that some foreigners exploit the student visa system as an easy means to enter Europe, with intentions to work or migrate to other Schengen countries.
- Disappearance from System: More than 5,000 students disappeared from the system after the first semester of the 2023/2024 academic year, indicating potential misuse of student visas.
Private Universities' Role
- Attractiveness of Private Universities: Private universities, which do not receive state funding for educational development, attract a significant number of foreign students due to their fee-paying structure.
- Lack of Oversight: Concerns were raised about the lack of external oversight over attendance and educational quality at these institutions.
Proposed Changes
Government Measures
- Policy Proposals: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are proposing several reforms to curb abuse:
- Introduction of a ban on admitting foreigners to universities that do not meet minimum recruitment criteria.
- Centralization of the pre-selection process for foreign candidates through institutions like the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).
- Verification of high school diplomas and language proficiency requirements for foreign students.
- Potential restrictions on foreign students' access to the Polish labor market.
- Increased minimum financial requirements for visa applicants, including mandatory higher minimum funds in bank accounts.
Future Directions
- Enhanced Controls: These reforms aim to tighten controls over the student visa system and ensure that foreign students genuinely pursue education in Poland.
- Quality Assurance: By centralizing the admissions process and imposing stricter criteria, the government seeks to improve educational standards and outcomes for foreign students.
In conclusion, Poland is gearing up to overhaul its approach to hosting foreign students, aiming to balance educational opportunities with stringent controls to prevent misuse of the visa system. These proposed reforms could reshape the landscape of higher education accessibility and integrity in the country.
