Protesters in Warsaw oppose new regulation merging students for religion classes, fearing job losses for catechists.
A large protest took place today in Warsaw’s Castle Square, organized by the Lay Catechists’ Association. The demonstration was a reaction to the new education regulation set to take effect on September 1, 2024.
New Regulation on Religion Classes
The regulation, issued by the Minister of Education on July 26, 2024, allows school directors to merge students into groups for religion classes if seven or more students from different classes or grades enroll. This new rule has sparked outrage among religious communities and educators.
Barbara Nowak, a former education superintendent and current PiS councilor, expressed concerns that these changes could lead to job losses for catechists. “If these changes go into effect, some catechists, possibly most, will lose their jobs or won’t have full-time positions,” Nowak said.
Protesters held banners with slogans such as “Stop Discrimination Against Believers” and “We Want God in School Books.” The protest concluded with a mass at St. John the Baptist Archcathedral.