The programme incorporates material on issues such as nutrition, disease prevention, relationships, contraception and sexually transmitted infections. Photo credit: Elzbieta Krzysztof/Shutterstock
Poland has introduced a new school subject focused on health education, replacing earlier classes on family life, as part of a wider reform of the national curriculum. The subject is due to be taught from the 2025/26 academic year and is designed to cover a broad range of topics, including physical health, mental wellbeing and elements of sexual education.
The programme incorporates material on issues such as nutrition, disease prevention, relationships, contraception and sexually transmitted infections. It also addresses subjects including addiction and personal safety. The aim, according to education authorities, is to provide pupils with a more comprehensive understanding of health in everyday life.
Despite its scope, the subject is not compulsory. Parents are able to withdraw their children from lessons, meaning participation depends on individual choice. This marks a departure from earlier proposals, which had envisaged making the subject mandatory across all schools.
Change follows political and public opposition
The decision to keep health education optional follows opposition from conservative groups and some religious organisations, particularly in relation to the inclusion of sexual education topics. Critics argued that such material should remain under parental control and not form part of compulsory schooling.
Public debate intensified during the policy’s development, with concerns raised about the content and how it would be delivered in classrooms. In response, the government revised its approach, confirming that families would retain the right to opt out.
Polling cited in national reporting indicates that public opinion is divided. While some support the introduction of broader health education in schools, others favour a more limited curriculum or greater parental oversight, especially regarding lessons on sexuality and relationships.
Shift from previous curriculum model
The new subject replaces the long-standing “family life education” classes, which focused primarily on relationships, personal development and preparation for family roles. Those lessons were also optional and often shaped by more traditional approaches to the topics covered.
By contrast, the revised curriculum places greater emphasis on public health and practical knowledge. It brings together a wider set of themes under a single subject, reflecting changes in how health education is approached in other European countries.
However, because the new subject remains voluntary, its impact will depend on how widely it is taken up. Early indications suggest that participation rates may vary significantly between schools and regions, influenced by local attitudes and parental preferences.
Content includes sexual health within broader framework
Sexual education forms one part of the new curriculum rather than a standalone subject. Lessons are expected to include factual information on human development, reproductive health and protection against sexually transmitted infections. The material is intended to be taught alongside other health-related topics, rather than in isolation.
The inclusion of these elements has been one of the most contested aspects of the reform. Supporters argue that providing accurate information in a school setting can contribute to informed decision-making and awareness among young people. Opponents have expressed concern about the age at which such topics are introduced and the extent of state involvement.
The opt-out provision means that parents can decide whether their children attend these lessons, including those covering sexual health. As a result, not all pupils will receive the same level of instruction, even within the same school system.
Implementation and outlook
Schools across Poland are preparing to introduce the subject in line with national guidelines, although details of delivery may differ depending on available resources and teaching staff. Training for educators and the development of teaching materials are ongoing as part of the rollout.
The Ministry of Education has presented the reform as an effort to modernise the curriculum and respond to contemporary health challenges. At the same time, the decision to retain a voluntary model reflects the political sensitivities surrounding the issue.
The introduction of health education in its current form represents a compromise between competing views on the role of schools in addressing topics related to health and personal development. Its effectiveness will become clearer once the subject is fully implemented and participation levels are established across the country.
