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6.2. 6- year primary school (after the implementation of the Act of 1999)

In the school year 1999/2000, the former primary schools were transformed into 6-year primary schools.

The 6-year primary school provides education for children aged 7 to 13. This stage of education is designed to enable children to acquire basie skills and to educate them in close co-operation with their parents. Educational activities of the school are concentrated around the generał education core curriculum, i.e. the so-called canon of basie teaching contents. Teaching is divided into 2 cycles: an integrated cycle (Forms I to III) and a block-based cycle (Forms IV to VI).

In Forms I to III, education is not arranged in subjeets. Activities take place according to a plan defined by the teacher of a given division. Teaching hours and breaks are set by the teacher in accordance with pupils’ activity. The weekly load for this cycle comprises 22 to 25 teaching hours (the framework timetable for the 6-year primary school is attached in the annex).

Pupils in Forms I to III are awarded mainly descriptive marks, except traditional marks for religion or ethics. Progression to the next year requires positive assessment of learning achievements.

In Forms IV to VI, some activities are arranged as corresponding to the division into traditional subjeets, such as the Polish language, mathematics and physical education, and other activities cover groups of subjeets (e.g. history and society). The total weekly load in Forms IV to VI is 26 to 28 teaching hours. The timetable specifies only the minimum number of teaching hours to be allocated to individual subjeets and subject blocks. The number of hours per each subject is determined by the school itself, with schools being free to make such decisions as 20% of the total number of teaching hours are left to the disposal of the school head.

From Form IV of the primary school, pupil achievements are assessed at the end of each semester according to the scalę ranging from 1 to 6, where 6 is excellent, 5 - very good, 4 - good, 3 -satisfactory, 2 - sufficient, and 1 - fail.

At the end of education in the 6-year primary school, pupils take a competence test. It covers reading skills, writing skills, reasoning skills, the ability to use Information, and the ability to apply knowledge in practice. This is a national and compulsory test.lt which is set and marked by Regional Examination Commissions. The test has been organised sińce the year 2002. It is not used for selection purposes, but only as a source of information about the level of pupil achievements. Those graduating from the 6-year primary school are awarded the certificate of completion of education in the primary school (świadectwo ukończenia szkoły podstawowej) which provides access to the gymnasium.

In addition to mainstream 6-year primary schools, 6-year special primary schools have been established. Most of them follow the same core curricula as those in mainstream schools, the only exception being establishments for the above-mentioned groups of children and young people.

Until 1992, primary schools were managed by kurators who acted as central government representatives at the level of voivodeship (the largest administrative unit). In 1992, the responsibility for primary school management was taken over by local governments (gminas).

Primary education for children and young people. Statistical data (school year2001/2002)

Number of schools Number of pupils Number ofteachers

Total,    15836    3105166    242367

incl.:

public schools    15251    3067568    237022

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