Until September 25, parents and guardians can withdraw their children from health education – a subject invented by the Ministry of Education under the leadership of Barbara Nowacka. Among those who did so was the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. Representatives of Donald Tusk’s government turned this into an opportunity to attack the head of the Polish state, but… they are catching flak themselves.
On Saturday, President Karol Nawrocki left no doubt about his stance on the new school subject. “We have decided to withdraw our son from health education classes,” he announced in a post published on social media.
The president also expressed his concerns about the content taught within the new subject. “Under the seemingly innocent name of this subject, attempts are being made to smuggle ideology and politics into Polish schools, and that cannot be accepted,” the post read.
In his view, school should fulfill specific educational and formative roles. “School is above all a place of learning, but also a space for building respect for culture, tradition, and Christian values from which our civilization grows,” he stressed.
He also appealed to parents with these words: “First and foremost, it is we, the parents, who have the right to decide on our children’s education, and this is the moment when it is worth exercising that right.”
And that’s when it began
On Niezalezna.pl, we reported that after the president’s statement, other right-wing politicians also announced that their children or grandchildren would not participate in the classes either. Politicians of the ruling camp, especially from the Ministry of Education, launched attacks on the president.
The head of the ministry, Barbara Nowacka, lashed out at Karol Nawrocki with these words: “Mr. President. Before you withdraw, veto, sign, or express outrage, it is really worth reading documents! In this case specifically – one should read the curriculum for Health Education. You, in particular, should care about children’s health and the public’s trust in teachers who convey knowledge wisely and sensitively. And knowledge about addiction prevention, prophylaxis, exercise, mental health, and building relationships and respect for others – this is also what the subject is about – will be useful to everyone.”
In a similar, though more crude tone, Katarzyna Lubnauer, Deputy Minister of MEN (Ministry of National Education), wrote: “I have no doubt that PKN did not read the curriculum. The question is whether he can tell the difference between ovulation and a period, and whether he knows what nocturnal emissions are. Because in PiS, that’s rather weak.”
Monika Wielichowska, Deputy Speaker of the Sejm, also joined in. In her post we read: “Mr. President. Health education is very important. Health begins with knowledge. I invite you on Monday to the Sejm for a health education class during which experts, doctors, and athletes will present a capsule of knowledge on the subject. The event will also be available online. I recommend it to all parents, especially those who haven’t looked into the health education program and rely on fakes and lies.”
And then came the pushback! In response to politicians from Donald Tusk’s camp, the right pushed back.
“It’s clear you measure others by your own level and standards. Wise parents should withdraw their children from this nonsense,” wrote Marek Jakubiak from Wolni Republikanie.
PiS MP Jan Mosiński reacted to Barbara Nowacka’s post, writing: “I get the impression that you did not read carefully what you call health education to mislead parents.”
PiS MP Kazimierz Smoliński reminded that children can be withdrawn from health education until September 25.
Many comments of this kind are also appearing:
https://twitter.com/b_paliwoda/status/1969489651799847224