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  • About 921,000 pupils attend health education, around 30% of those eligible.
  • Attendance is highest in primary schools (40.36%) and lowest in technical schools (7.78%).
  • In 2025/2026 the subject is optional; the opt-out deadline was 25 September.
  • The subject's status for next year has not been decided.

What the ministry published

On 13 November the Ministry of National Education (MEN) published on its website data on attendance at health education (edukacja zdrowotna), a new subject introduced on 1 September 2025. About 921,000 pupils attend, around 30% of all those eligible.

The differences between school types are large. In primary schools 40.36% of eligible pupils attend, in arts schools 18.33%, in first-level vocational schools (branżowa szkoła I stopnia) 14.4%, in general secondary schools (licea) 10.08% and in technical schools (technika) 7.78%. The lowest share was recorded in the Podkarpackie region (17.19%).

Where the numbers come from

In the 2025/2026 school year health education is not compulsory. Parents of under-18 pupils, and adult pupils themselves, could opt out by 25 September. Before that deadline the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, said the ministry had wanted a compulsory subject and that she expected more than half of pupils to opt out.

So the data reflect decisions taken in the first weeks of the school year — often before pupils had seen any lessons — rather than a verdict on the subject itself.

What it means for families

For pupils who stayed, nothing changes: the subject continues until the end of the school year. The rules do not formally provide for opting out after the deadline, and returning to the classes is something to arrange directly with the headteacher.

If you are thinking about next year, ask the school for the syllabus and talk to the teacher. That is a better source than social media opinions.

  • Ask the school what the classes look like and which topics have been covered.
  • Watch for MEN announcements — the subject's status for 2026/2027 has not been decided yet.
  • Decisions about next year will follow the rules in force for that year.

What we don't know yet

The ministry has not yet announced whether the subject's status will change next school year. We will return to the topic when concrete draft regulations appear.

Sources & further reading

Prepared with AI assistance using the sources below. Editorial standards ↗