Poland’s PiS Protests New Health Education Curriculum, Claims It Will "Pervert" Children
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Loading... - Sylvie Payet
- 06 Dec 2024
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The education system in Poland is embroiled in controversy as ultra-conservative organizations and the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party mobilized supporters in a protest against the introduction of health education as a new school subject. Scheduled to be implemented in September 2025, the curriculum has sparked heated debates about ideological influence and the preservation of traditional values.
Critics of the new health education curriculum argue that it represents an ideological overreach that prioritizes political agendas over the well-being of students. They contend that the changes are influenced by the European Union, aiming to undermine Polish sovereignty in education and promote what they term "anti-values." Hanna Dobrowolska, coordinator of the Association for the Defence of Schools, expressed concerns that the EU seeks to eliminate the sovereignty of Polish education, stating, “Gender tolerance, inclusion, climate ideology, and the planetary diet are slogans that can already be found in new subjects such as health education and civic education.”
The protest, organized by the Coalition to Save Polish Schools—a coalition of around 70 conservative associations—took place on December 1 in Warsaw's Castle Square under the slogan “No for depravity.” Demonstrators carried banners with messages such as “Let's protect children from homo-education” and “Not rainbow, not secular, our Poland [must be] Catholic.” Notable participants included former PiS education minister Przemysław Czarnek and Karol Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN).
The four-party coalition led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk (PO, EPP), which came to power after the 2023 parliamentary elections, aims to introduce health education as part of a broader school reform. This new subject will replace the voluntary family education program, which has faced criticism for being outdated.
Proponents of the curriculum argue that its primary focus is on promoting physical and mental health. The Health Ministry emphasizes the importance of teaching students how to care for their health, stating, “Prevention is a priority because it allows us to live a long life in good health.” The curriculum is designed to help students develop healthy lifestyle habits during their formative years.
The draft core curriculum for health education includes nine sections covering various topics such as physical, mental, and social health, nutrition, puberty, sexual health, environmental health, and addiction prevention. Zbigniew Izdebski, a co-author of the curriculum, highlighted that discussions on sexuality are essential, stating, “I can't imagine leaving out the topics of sexuality because it makes someone uncomfortable.” He emphasized that the curriculum will also address building family and social relationships, love, respect, and the value of marriage and family.
Despite these assurances, critics, including members of the PiS party, argue that the curriculum promotes premature sexualization of children and what they label as "LGBT propaganda" or "untraditional values." The ongoing debate reflects broader societal tensions in Poland regarding education, traditional values, and the influence of external entities like the EU.
As the implementation date approaches, the clash between conservative values and progressive educational reforms is likely to intensify, shaping the future of Poland's education system and its societal norms.
