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Education

Educational Structure

Polish law guaranties the equal rights for education to everyone (click here (pdf) for more explanation about legislation (pdf)). The Polish education system, under supervision of the Ministry of National Education and Sport /MENiS/, is supposed to enable education of children and young people with activity limitations – on an equal footing with others – in all types of schools. In the light of provisions of the Act of 7 th September 1991 on the Education System, they can get their education in mainstream schools and in integrated (inclusive) schools, as well as in special schools. Those provisions specify the principles of integrated and special needs education. In integrated classes often the number of pupils is smaller than regular classes (less than twenty). There can only be between three and five SEN children in each class.

There are 13 categories of disabilities that exist in the educational system:

According to the Ministry of Education and Sport – 3% of polish student’s population has special needs . Students with special needs may attend:

• Public special education units (primary schools, lower secondary schools, basic vocational schools, vocational secondary schools, general secondary schools, post-secondary schools).
• Public education units (regular, integrative, special or therapeutic classes)
• Individual education programs at home.

Integrative public education units in Poland by voivodships:

The regulation of the Minister of Education dated 15 th January 2001 on the detailed principles of the operation of Public Psychological and Educational Guidance Centers and other Public Specialized Guidance Centers as well as on the framework by laws of those guidance centers specifies tasks that take into account students with special educational needs (SEN) . Those tasks are implemented through, among other things:

• diagnosis,
• advising service,
• counseling (e.g. how to prepare individual educational program),
• therapy,
• psychoeducation
• rehabilitation
• training courses for teachers

What psychological and educational assistance consist in and how it is organized has been defined in the regulation of the Minister of Education dated 15 th January 2001 on the principles of administering and organizing psychological and educational assistance in public kindergartens, schools and institutions. The use of assistance provided by guidance centers and the use of psychological and educational assistance is voluntary and free of charge. Government prepared program of additional financial support for integrative and special schools.

Public Psychological and Educational Guidance Centers in Poland by voivodships:

Education for trainers/ teachers

In the initial teacher training there are some elements for Special Education Needs (SEN). The Academies of Physical Education are responsible for preparation of Physical Education teachers. At presence only a part of graduates of Physical Education Faculty have courses of special physical education and is prepared to provide physical education classes with children with SEN.

Graduate studies

1. Rehabilitation MA - 4.5 years study at the Academy of Physical Education , with degree: Master of Rehabilitation
   The program gives students an opportunity to achieve the title of ‘Instructor of sport for People with Activity Limitations’ in one of the following disciplines: Swimming, Weightlifting, Sitting and Standing Volleyball, Track and Field, Wheelchair Tennis, Goal Ball, Alpine Skiing.
2. Physical Education MA - 5 years study at the Academy of Physical Education , with degree: Master of Physical Education
   The program gives students an opportunity to choose specialization - Special Physical Education

Postgraduate studies
2 - years study at the Academy of Physical Education, in the fields as follow:

1. Post Graduate Studies into Inclusive Education with elements of organisation and administration for educational institution (based on the European Masters of APA)
2. Post graduate Studies in Physical Education and Sport People with Developmentally Disabilities (“mental impairment”)
3. Post graduate Studies of Physioprophylactic and corrective exercise
4. Post graduate Studies of Modern Physiotherapy Methods in Children and Youth Physiotherapy

Additional qualification
Courses organized by sport organizations for people with activity limitations. Law regulates competencies, licenses and requirements for organizers and participants as well as basic content of courses (e.g. practical/theoretical hours)

1. Instructor courses
   Courses give an opportunity to achieve title of ‘Instructor of sport for People with Activity Limitations’ in one of the following disciplines: Biathlon, Billiard, Team Games (Sitting and Standing Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Basketball, Goal Ball), Equestrian, Cycling, Bowling, Track and Field, Judo, Archery, Chess, Swimming, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair dance, Weightlifting, Wheelchair Tennis, Alpine Skiing
2. Referee courses
3. Classifiers courses
4. Volunteers courses

Other interesting links

Psychological and Educational Guidance Centers /CPMPPP/
National In-Service Teacher Training Center /NTTC/
National Centre for Supporting Vocational and Continuing Education
Public Foundation of Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities /PFRON/
Internet Center of Educational Information
Special Educational Needs /SpeT/
Polish Association of Deaf /PZG/
Polish Association of the Blind /PZN/
Polish Association of Dyslexia
Polish Federation of Logopedics /PZL/
Polish Psychological Association
Disabled Children
Centem of Rehabilitation, Education and Care TPD "Helenów"
Heard Hearing
Center of Integration for Disabled
Association of Friends of Integration
Foundation Fuga Mundi
Foundation "You Have a Chance"
Foundation of Aid for People with disabilities FRIEND Dog-therapy
The “Family First” Association