A coalition was formed to defend junior high schools

– There are more and more local initiatives, more and more often local government officials ask for coordination of activities in this area. That is why we are establishing a wide coalition of communities for lower secondary schools under the slogan “Together for lower secondary schools!” – says Sławomir Broniarz, president of the PNA.

As the president of the Polish Teachers’ Union stated, there are more and more local initiatives on the part of teachers, pedagogical councils, students, parents and local government officials in defense of junior high schools.

See also: Minister of Education: The end of lower secondary schools in 2017, the children will then go to the 7th grade

– Local government officials more and more often declare their willingness to cooperate with the PNA for the defense of junior high schools and ask for coordination of activities in this area. That is why we are establishing a wide coalition of communities for lower secondary schools under the slogan: Together for lower secondary schools! – said Sławomir Broniarz.

He added that there are no substantive arguments for the liquidation of lower secondary schools because, as he stated, “we do not accept sentimental arguments” such as “you have to return to the old system” or emotional arguments such as “because there are educational problems in lower secondary schools”. As he stated, peer violence is more common in primary schools than in lower secondary schools.

Broniarz referred to research, reports and analyzes which show that junior high schools, although not always devoid of shortcomings, fulfill their role well, ie they equalize educational opportunities and contribute to the achievement of good results by junior high school students. He also added that in terms of infrastructure, gymnasiums are among the most modern and best equipped schools in the country.

Before the conference, ZNP deputy chairman Krzysztof Baszczyński announced that the coalition would ask President Andrzej Duda to organize a round table debate. As union members say, the school does not need a revolution. According to them, mistakes that have been made should be corrected, “not everything destroyed”.

See also: Is the liquidation of lower secondary schools a good idea?

The minister of education, Anna Zalewska, expressed her readiness to talk to everyone about the future of lower secondary schools. She said she was surprised that the topic came up so early in the day when there is not even a bill. She also said that she would listen to the voices of various circles, including the coalition formed by the PNA.

According to the Polish Teachers’ Union, lower secondary schools should be improved by improving their functioning, employing psychologists, educators or creating less numerous classes. He considers the intention to liquidate the PNA to be socially harmful.

“The liquidation of lower secondary schools after 16 years of their functioning in the system is an irresponsible step. It will not solve the existing problems, but will become a source of further problems, generating tensions and anxiety both among students’ parents, as well as among school authorities and employees of lower secondary schools. It will force expensive changes to programs, textbooks and the educational base “- wrote Broniarz on the ZNP website.

TVN24 / x-news