Ukrainian pupils in 2026/2027: the special act ends, general rules return

What has changed

The special act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens largely expired on 5 March 2026, but school measures were extended until the end of the school year — 31 August 2026. They included preparatory classes on special terms, additional Polish lessons, funding for extra tasks, free transport and material aid. After that, as Prawo.pl reported, schools return to the ordinary rules.

In practice, from 1 September 2026 pupils from Ukraine are covered by the same rules as other non-Polish pupils — above all Article 165 of the Education Law (Prawo oświatowe).

The right to education on the same terms as Poles

Foreigners subject to compulsory schooling attend public primary schools on the same terms as Polish citizens, and secondary schools until they turn 18 or finish school. People under temporary protection also have the right to study on the same terms as Poles in, among others, schools for adults, second-level vocational schools, post-secondary schools and qualifying vocational courses.

Support under the general rules

Article 165 of the Education Law provides several forms of help for pupils who don't know Polish or know it too poorly to learn:

• additional free Polish lessons — for no longer than 24 months, organised by the body running the school;
• help from a person speaking the language of the country of origin, employed as a teaching assistant — for no longer than 12 months;
• additional catch-up classes in subjects — for no longer than 12 months;
• a preparatory class (oddział przygotowawczy), which the governing body may organise — lasting until the end of the school year, possibly shortened or extended by a year;
• lessons in the language and culture of the country of origin, organised at school by a diplomatic mission or a cultural association.

Important: the period counts, not the date

The 24- and 12-month limits run from when a pupil starts using each form of help. Children who have been in Polish schools since 2022 may already have used them up. Ask the school whether your child is still entitled to extra Polish lessons and how many.

What to do before 1 September

A few things are worth sorting out now:

• Talk to the class teacher or school counsellor about the support planned for your child this year.
• If your child has learning difficulties unrelated to language, consider an assessment at a counselling centre — an opinion gives the right to adjustments, including in exams.
• Check whether Ukrainian language lessons organised at school by the consulate or an association are available nearby.
• Grade 8 and final-year students: ask about exam adjustments for foreigners in CKE guidelines.