“Szkoła do hymnu” 2026: Polish schools sing the national anthem on 10 November at 11:11

What the ministry announced

On 29 October 2026 the Ministry of National Education (MEN) invited kindergartens, schools and other educational institutions to take part in “Szkoła do hymnu”, a nationwide action in which schools sing the national anthem together. This is the ninth edition; it has run since 2018, and the ministry says millions of pupils and teachers have joined it.

The idea is simple: on the eve of the National Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości, 11 November), pupils and teachers across Poland sing the anthem at the symbolic time of 11:11. This year that is Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

How schools sign up

Kindergartens, schools and institutions in Poland fill in a ministry survey in SIO (System Informacji Oświatowej, the national education information system). The deadline is 6 November 2026 at 23:59. The school registers, not parents or pupils.

Polish community schools abroad (szkoły polonijne), European Schools and Polish schools abroad use a separate survey provided by ORPEG, the centre for Polish education abroad. The ministry also encourages schools to post reports on their websites and to share photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #SzkołaDoHymnu.

The action does not require special materials, and the ministry’s announcement sets no conditions beyond registering and singing the anthem at the set time. Each school decides whether pupils gather in the gym, in a corridor or sing in their classrooms.

How to behave during the anthem

Poland’s national anthem is “Mazurek Dąbrowskiego” (Dąbrowski’s Mazurka). The Act on the Coat of Arms, Colours and Anthem says that while the anthem is performed or played, people must keep a serious and calm manner. Those present stand in a respectful posture, men in civilian clothes take off their hats, and school banner parties (poczty sztandarowe) lower the banner.

The same act says the anthem is performed publicly above all at ceremonies, state holidays and anniversaries, always in a way that shows it due honour and respect. That is why schools usually combine the singing with a short school assembly (apel) before 11 November.

It is worth talking this through with children before Tuesday, especially the youngest, for whom it may be the first such occasion.

• stand still, don’t talk and don’t use your phone
• take off a cap or hood
• sing along if you know the words

What it means for parents and pupils

Taking part is the school’s decision, so the easiest step is to ask the class teacher (wychowawca) or check the e-gradebook (dziennik elektroniczny) to see whether the school has signed up and whether it asks pupils for anything, such as formal school clothes (strój galowy). 10 November is a normal school day unless the school has declared it a headteacher’s day off (dzień dyrektorski).

The next day, Wednesday 11 November, there are no lessons in any school, because it is a statutory public holiday. NaukoMapa’s separate guide to days off in November 2026 explains the other free days and childcare.