Minister of National Education Barbara Nowacka announced that from 2025 wellness education would be optional. This decision was met with strong opposition on the net and sparked a heated public debate.
Bend under pressure?
Only a fewer days ago, Minister Nowacka powerfully declared that wellness education would stay mandatory. However, under force from coalition leaders specified as Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish and Donald Tusk, she changed her position. In their opinion, this subject should be optional to make it easier to convince Rafał Trzaskowski, the presidential candidate, more conservative voters.
Interestingly, Rafał Trzaskowski himself supported the decision at 1 of the press conferences, claiming that wellness education in Polish schools should not be forced.
Poland or Europe?
The stormy discussion has spread on social platforms and in the media. Magdalena Biejat, candidate for president of Poland, stressed that the decision of the ministry was a symbolic step back in the improvement of civilization:
“Health education is simply a test of whether Poland is European or paddling. Whether it's moving forward or retreating from the dark garden. I'm not backing back. I invitation you to cooperate with anyone who wants to decision forward in this campaign.”
Health education is simply a test of whether Poland is European or paddling. Whether it's moving forward or retreating from the dark garden. I'm not backing back. I invitation you to cooperate anyone who wants to decision forward in this run https://t.co/UCv7mntiTL
— Magda Biejat (@MagdaBejat) January 16, 2025
In turn, PiS MP Michał Dworzyk accused the ruling coalition of actions dictated solely by electoral calculation:
"Pressia makes sense, but note. The deficiency of work to send children to the subject of “Health Education” is simply a purely pre-election play of the government, dictated by fear of parents. You can't fall for her.”
Voices of experts and politicians
Doctor Jakub Kosikowski commented on the situation as another example of the deficiency of reforms in Poland due to the permanent electoral campaign:
"Health protection is simply a permanent hostage of the situation «there are always elections in Poland». Nothing can be introduced, reformed, closed or connected, due to the fact that the others will scream scandal. It is not about the subject of wellness education, it is just an example of how all this does not work.”
Health care is simply a permanent hostage of the situation “there are always choices in Poland”
Nothing can be introduced, reformed, closed or connected due to the fact that the others will shout scandal
It's not about the subject of wellness education, it's just an example of how it all doesn't work. https://t.co/FhCBhWpCGY
— Jakub Kosikowski (@kosik_md) January 16, 2025
Left associate Thomas Trela expressed outrage at the decision of the ministry, claiming that specified an approach threatens the future of young citizens:
"Health education should be compulsory. This is the safety and future of our young citizens. End and end.”
PiS-light and political calculation
Journalist Tomasz Walczak criticized the current government for making decisions resembling the policy of the Law and Justice, which he called "PiS-light":
"In 2023 people voted to banish the PiS, and they inactive get the PiS-light. And no substance what about the Law and Justice, he took care of his hard electorate, and the coalition is constantly measuring its sulfurous cheeks.”
Ms Żukowska pointed out that the permanent electoral run prevented long-term reforms:
“I look forward to this time erstwhile at last there will be at least 1 year in Poland without any elections, due to the fact that it is simply impossible to push almost anything forward while in a continuous campaign.”
Will the decision have consequences?
Despite the current declarations by many commentators, the decision may change after the election. Mr Sliwka suggests that after the election, Minister Nowacka may return to pushing the thought of compulsory wellness education:
"The decision came after parents' protests and pressures @NawrockiKn and @pisorgpl politicians. If not, the subject would be mandatory. Although after the election, Minister Nowack will most likely return to pushing this project.”
Summary
The decision to make wellness education optional shows how crucial electoral calculations are for policy. Opinions of experts, politicians and net users point to a deeper problem in the Polish governance system, where long-term reforms are frequently subject to current political interests. The final consequences of this decision will show time.
Read more:
Nowacka's decision on "health education" caused a storm on the Internet
