Will Polish schools be allowed to check pupils' bags? The education ministry proposes checks when there is a threat

In short: what changes and what does not

For now, nothing. On 10 November 2026 the Ministry of National Education (MEN) sent a draft act amending the Prawo oświatowe (Education Law) and several other acts to public consultation and inter-ministerial agreement (government work list number UD494). Head teachers will only gain new powers once the Sejm (lower house of parliament) passes the act and it is published. Under the draft, the act would take effect 14 days after publication.

The main proposal: the dyrektor (head teacher) or a staff member they authorise could check the contents of a pupil's backpack, bag and outer clothing, and those of a visitor entering or staying on school grounds. The ministry stresses that this is about reacting to a threat, not about routine daily bag checks.

How a check would work

The draft adds these rules to article 68 of the Education Law, which sets out the head teacher's safety duties:

• a check covers luggage and outer clothing such as a coat; there is no body search and no check of other clothing;
• metal detectors may be used, but schools are not obliged to install detector gates;
• the check must respect the dignity and personal rights of the person checked;
• dangerous items found (for example weapons, explosives, fireworks, alcohol or drugs) are taken, secured and handed to the police; from anyone under 18, cigarettes and e-cigarettes are also taken;
• for a pupil under 18, the head teacher informs the parents and the family court;
• if someone refuses the check, the head teacher calls the police, and the person waits for them in a place the head teacher indicates.

Protection for teachers

The draft amends article 63 of the Karta Nauczyciela (Teachers' Charter). Teachers already enjoy the legal protection of a public official, but only while working or in connection with their duties. This protection would also cover an attack made because of their profession, for example outside school.

The head teacher and the organ prowadzący (the school's governing body, usually the municipality or county) would have to report to the police or prosecutor offences against a teacher such as assault, violence or threats, or insult. On request, the governing body would provide free legal aid in criminal proceedings and, after a situation threatening the teacher's life or health, free psychological support.

Entry to school and non-public schools

The rules for entering and staying in a school must be written into its statut (school statute), for pupils and visitors alike. Kindergarten statutes would cover not only dropping off and picking up children but also the presence of other people. Under the draft, schools and kindergartens would update their statutes within 2 months of the act taking effect.

For schools run by private persons or companies, the criminal records of the founder, head and teachers would be checked as early as the application for a permit or registration. The draft also makes inspections of such schools easier.

What parents can do now

Until the act takes effect, the current rules and the school statute apply. It is worth:

• reading your school's current statute, especially the safety and building-entry rules;
• talking with your child about what must not be brought to school, and about telling an adult straight away if something seems dangerous;
• if you have views on the draft, reading it on the Government Legislation Centre (RCL) website, which also has a comment form; the ministry's announcement does not say when the consultation ends.