New Polish health education curriculum sparks public outcry

Poland has introduced a new health education subject in schools this month, replacing the former ‘family life education’ classes. The reform, initially announced as mandatory, became voluntary after a wave of public outcry and protests from conservative, religious, and parent groups.

Detractors argue that the new curriculum promotes values inconsistent with traditional or religious beliefs, with some dioceses and right-wing politicians openly urging parents to withdraw their children. Supporters, however, stress that evidence-based health education is crucial for students’ safety and well-being in today’s rapidly changing society.

“Research shows that people with higher health literacy are less susceptible to health-related conspiracy theories, are less likely to fall for harmful online trends, and make more rational decisions about prevention,” Professor Dariusz Jemielniak, Vice President of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and a disinformation researcher, told Euractiv.

Sex education controversy

The new curriculum adopts a holistic approach, covering not only physical health and prevention, but also mental well-being, nutrition, social relationships, and sexuality – areas largely absent or taboo in Polish schools for decades. According to the Ministry of Education, the programme is designed to equip young Poles with practical life skills and health knowledge, supporting them across all life stages.

The programme covers 11 thematic blocks: values and attitudes, physical health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, online safety, addiction prevention, environmental health, puberty and the healthcare system.

Of all the intended topics, sex education has met with the strongest resistance. Critics have focused public attention on issues of sexuality, often ignoring the broad scope of the curriculum and raising alarms about supposed “sexualisation”.

“Sex education in this form is anti-family; it is not like the previous family life education, which focused on supporting the family, procreation, and promoting stable marriage. Instead, the emphasis is shifted to deriving pleasure from sexuality,” said lawyer Marek Puzio from the Ordo Iuris Institute.

The Catholic Church has also made its stance clear, distributing leaflets in churches and encouraging parents to opt out. “We must protect children from harmful ideologies, which, dressed in noble language, convey content contrary to our faith,” wrote Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda in a pastoral letter marking the start of the school year.

Such claims stand in stark contrast to the official syllabus, which lists “sexual health” as just one of eleven modules. The requirements and objectives are framed in preventive language and adapted to students’ age. Sexual health is one element, not the core of the subject.

Gaps in knowledge

During a recent morning political programme on TVP Info, several Polish politicians were asked about the difference between menstruation and ovulation, basic topics covered by the new health education curriculum.

Lawmaker Andrzej Kosztowniak admitted, “I don’t know, I don’t remember. I wasn’t interested, even in biology.” Other guests, including Marcin Karpiński and Ireneusz Raś, also refrained from answering or said they did not wish to comment.

The exchange highlighted how gaps in knowledge about basic health topics are not limited to students, and even some policymakers themselves lack familiarity with these essential issues. The host, Magdalena Pernet, concluded that this illustrates why improved health education may be needed not just for children, but across society as a whole.

Education Minister Barbara Nowacka responded forcefully to the political and public criticism surrounding the new health education curriculum. She argued that some politicians’ rhetoric shows “deep ignorance” arising from a lack of familiarity with the curriculum’s content. “Opponents of health education act on behalf of the porn lobby and sexualisation of children,” she said in an interview for Polish Radio 3.

Education as an antidote to disinformation

Professor Jemielniak believes that, from the perspective of research on medical disinformation, health education at school provides a crucial foundation for prevention. In his opinion, early development of health competencies works on three levels.

First, it builds basic knowledge about human biology and health/disease mechanisms, giving students a foundation for critically evaluating medical information. Second, it develops the ability to identify trustworthy sources, helping children distinguish evidence-based facts from pseudoscience or marketing. Third, it instils the habit of fact-checking health information before making decisions.

“In the era of social media, where medical disinformation spreads faster than reliable knowledge, systematic school education is a cognitive ‘vaccine’ against false health narratives,” Jemielniak said. He added that it is essential to start this education early—before young people form misconceptions or fall under the influence of ill-informed health influencers.

Despite extensive research highlighting the value of health education, this subject in Polish schools remains non-compulsory. Parents who prefer their children not to participate must submit a written resignation to the headteacher by 25 September, and adult students must file their own forms.

(VA, BM)