91�鶹������Ʒ����

The Act of 12 March 2022 sets out the process by which Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland on or after 24 February 2022 may be granted temporary protection in line with the EU Temporary Protection Directive and the Act of 22 April 2005. Within 30 days of their arrival in Poland, individuals are required to register on the Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludności (Universal Electronic System for Registration of the Population) to obtain a PESEL number and receive an electronic document confirming their identity and residence status.

Access to schools 

The grants the right to education for all and states that education is compulsory until the age of 18 for everyone in Poland, including non-citizens. The Act of 12 March 2022 reaffirms that Ukrainians granted temporary protection are entitled to access the Polish education system. Subsequent ordinances issued by the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), namely the (for the 2021/2022 academic year) and the (for the 2022/2023 academic year), provide further guidance on access to education for Ukrainian citizens. The outlines the procedure by which students coming from abroad may enrol in public schools. In the absence of documents proving completion of prior grade levels, placement may be determined based on an interview, conducted by the school director and in a language spoken by the student. 

The ordinances increase the maximum number of students who may enrol per class at the pre-primary level, and in grades 1-3 at the primary level, to allow schools to absorb additional Ukrainian learners. The ordinances also state that Ukrainian citizens may be exempt from compulsory education if they are following online learning in the Ukrainian system, upon submission of a declaration by a parent or guardian.  

Safe learning environment 

The Act of 12 March 2022 states that classes may be conducted in locations other than educational facilities for the purpose of ensuring the education and care of Ukrainian citizens. The Ordinance of 21 March 2022 outlines minimum safety standards for these alternative locations, including requirements related to the maximum number of pupils per classroom (29), availability of emergency passages for evacuation, fire-resistant infrastructure, proper water and sanitation devices and facilities, and hygiene conditions.  

Quality learning conditions 

The Education Law states that non-Polish citizens who are subject to compulsory schooling have the right to Polish language training, to be provided for by the organizing body of the school and delivered by a person who is proficient in the language of the country of origin. The Law states that the school governing body may provide preparatory classes for students who require adaptations to meet their educational needs and capabilities. The Regulation of 23 August 2017 provides for the organization of these preparatory classes and states that additional Polish lessons may be organized on an individual or group basis. Furthermore, the Education Law states that students who receive Polish language training may benefit from additional support in academic subjects. 

The Act of 12 March 2022 provides for additional funding to be allocated to local authorities to support the delivery of educational tasks related to the education of Ukrainian citizens. It also states that non-Polish teaching assistants may be employed by Polish schools if their language level is sufficient to support students without knowledge of the language, and states that teachers in schools that have established additional classes for Ukrainian pupils may work overtime. In January 2023, an extends the provision of additional funding for schools supporting Ukrainian students, including funding for the purchase of textbooks, educational materials, and other learning supplies. 

The Ordinances of 21 March 2022 and 11 August 2022 state that school directors may employ specialists to provide Ukrainian learners with psychosocial and pedagogical support during both the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 school years, although funding is not specifically allocated for this purpose. The Act of 12 March 2022 also grants access to free psychological assistance for all Ukrainians benefitting from temporary protection, and states that services are to be provided by municipal authorities.  

Access to transitions 

The Ordinance of 21 March 2022 states that during the 2021/2022 school year, Ukrainian learners may sit for the grade 8, secondary (Matura), and vocational qualification examinations. Performance on the grade 8 examination is an important factor for recruitment to secondary education, while the Matura examination is a requirement for admission to higher education.  

The ordinance states that Ukrainian citizens taking the examinations are entitled to benefit from conditions adapted to their educational needs as provided by the . These provisions include the translation of instructions into Ukrainian, extended time, and the ability to use a dictionary. The Ordinance of 11 August 2022 states that the same provisions apply for Ukrainian learners taking examinations during the 2022/2023 school year.  

Certification of learning 

The Ordinance of 21 March 2022 allows Ukrainian students to take the Matura examination upon completion of secondary education. While the examination is not mandatory, all students in Poland must receive a passing grade on the Matura to apply for admission to tertiary education. The Matura includes assessments in Polish, a selected modern language, mathematics, and one additional subject at the advanced language. As for the grade 8 exam, Ukrainian citizens taking the Matura are granted adapted conditions based on their needs. The Ordinance of 11 August 2022 applies the same provisions for Ukrainian students taking the Matura during the 2022/2023 school year.  

Access to higher education 

The Act of 12 March 2022 states that individuals granted temporary protection are entitled to access higher education in Poland. It stipulates that institutions may define specific rules for the recruitment and transfer of Ukrainian students to Polish universities and grants Ukrainian citizens the ability to apply for certain scholarships and loans as outlined in the (Higher Education Law). For students who were enrolled in higher education in Ukraine prior to February 24, 2022, and paid fees for the second semester, the Act of 12 March 2022 also provided an exemption from fees for part-time or language courses at Polish universities.

Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection may move freely and establish residence throughout Poland, although they may not leave the Polish territory for more than 30 days. According to the Act of 12 March 2022, all Ukrainian citizens in legal status are entitled to work in Poland and apply for social benefits on the same basis as nationals. Employers must provide notice to a labour office when hiring Ukrainian nationals. 

The extended temporary protection for Ukrainians in Poland until March 4, 2024. Further extension is granted until August 31, 2024, if the individual is enrolled in compulsory education, or until September 30, 2024, if the individual is participating in a make-up session for the Matura exam. While the EU may extend the Temporary Protection Directive until March 2025, extension beyond 2024 has not yet been announced in Poland. Furthermore, it remains to be determined how EU Member States, including Poland, might provide long-term solutions for Ukrainian citizens to stay legally within the territory in the event that their displacement continues beyond 2025.