- Ukrainian children who fled to Poland are now required to attend school in person, as a new law aims to integrate them into the Polish education system after years of online learning
- The move is part of Poland’s efforts to manage the large influx of Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
- For many Ukrainian families, the transition marks a significant change
WARSAW, Poland: Ukrainian children who fled to Poland are now required to attend school in person, as a new law aims to integrate them into the Polish education system after years of online learning.
The move is part of Poland’s efforts to manage the large influx of Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
For many Ukrainian families, the transition marks a significant change. Children like 7-year-old Sava Trypolsky, who fled Ukraine with his family, are beginning their formal education journey in Poland. Excited for his first day of school, Sava packed his backpack with supplies, ready to start first grade.
“I’ll have fun,” he said beaming.
However, his 16-year-old sister Marichka has opted to continue her education remotely, highlighting the challenges older students face in adapting to a new school environment. She hopes to return to Ukraine for university.
“Some people are just mean, you know, and I’ve heard many stories about just being excluded or bullied,” Marichka said. “That happens in every country, it’s not just Poland, it’s just kids who try to grow up in this world.”
The new law mandates school attendance for Ukrainian refugees, with exceptions only for those in their final year of high school. The Polish government will enforce this requirement by withholding a monthly child benefit for non-compliance.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized integrating Ukrainian youth into the Polish education system to prevent social issues.
“Since we do not know how many Ukrainian families will want to stay with us for longer, and perhaps forever, we are very keen for these children to be educated like their Polish peers,” Tusk said.
Poland has hosted a large number of Ukrainian refugees, with estimates placing the figure at over 957,000.
However, many Ukrainian children had continued their education online, following the Ukrainian curriculum. Concerns about untracked education and potential dropout rates led to the government’s decision to require in-person schooling.
Jedrzej Witkowski, CEO of the Center for Citizenship Education, supports the move, noting the importance of structured education for refugee children. “This would have been the fifth consecutive year of online learning,” Witkowski said. “We are very happy with the move that the government has made.”
UNICEF and UNHCR have also advocated for in-person schooling to provide stability and support for these children.
While some Ukrainian parents are anxious about abandoning the Ukrainian curriculum, others, like Sava’s mother, Oksana Trypolska, believe in maintaining a balance. She supports her son’s integration into Polish society while keeping his Ukrainian heritage alive through books and cultural ties.
“Parents are afraid to just leave the Ukrainian school, because you don’t know what will happen in the future, and you try to prepare for different options and just be ready,” she said.
