Parents’ groups, teachers, and social organizations are calling for a demonstration, one of whose key demands is opposition to what they describe as left-wing changes being imposed on the Polish education system by Education Minister Barbara Nowacka. The protest, under the slogan “Together for Poland and the Polish People,” will take place on May 20 at 12:00 p.m. in Warsaw’s Castle Square.
United Forces in the Fight for Polish Children
The main organizer of the event is NSZZ Solidarność.
“The protest will express opposition to the lack of genuine social dialogue and the current policies of the government. The demonstration is also intended as support for the initiative to organize a referendum on the Green Deal,”
the organizers wrote on social media.
One of the movement’s demands is also opposition to what participants describe as destructive changes in Polish education. The social initiative Ruch Społeczny Odpowiedzialni Rodzice (Eng. The Responsible Parents Movement) has issued an appeal calling on all parents to join the demonstration. In the document, the group warns that current educational reforms are reducing parental influence over children’s upbringing and education. The appeal repeatedly raises questions regarding parents’ rights to co-decide on the content taught in schools.
“Health Education” Must Go
Particular concern among the protesting groups centers on the new health education subject and sexuality-related content. Protesters also oppose what they see as the marginalization of the family’s role in the upbringing process and restrictions on parents’ rights to decide whether their children participate in classes concerning sexuality.
The appeal also expresses concerns about the influence of ideology and EU educational policy directions on Polish schools.