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introduction

This study provides basie information on the system of education in Poland, focusing in particular on its subsequent stages which include schools providing education on respective levels.

Produced by the Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange, the study is addressed primarily to similar structures, these operating in many countries under the name of ENICs/NARICs. Hence, efforts were taken to include information which may facilitate the work of these centres in the area of equivalence and recognition of certificates and diplomas awarded by various types of schools.

The study contains generał information on the legał basis for the functioning and management rules of educational system in Poland as well as the statistic data on a current number of establishments existing on particular levels of education.

The description of the educational system is the most important part of this study. It takes into consideration both the assumptions of the reform which is currently being implemented (sińce the year 2000) and the characteristics of types of schools existing within the frameworks of the previously functioning structure. Thus as regards the current educational system this study contains the presentation of compulsory education, which means: 6-year primary schools, 3-year gymnasium (lower secondary school) as well as upper secondary schools and higher education institutions. Whereas as regards the period before the year 2000 we can find in this study a description of: 8-years primary schools, different types of post-primary schools and higher education institutions.

This description, covering both the current and former structure of the educational system, due to the above mentioned reasons, focuses on such information concerning respective types of schools as: admission requirements, the duration of education in years, information about curricula, the type of certificate or diploma obtained as well as further education options. It also gives an insight into the conditions of applying for academic degrees and documents confirming the award of such degrees in our country.

This study contains also numerous appendixes such as: current framework timetables in respective types of compulsory and post-gymnasium schools, patterns of diplomas of completion of education in different types of schools, list of higher education institutions and fields of study which are provided in these HEIs as well as disciplines of science in which the academic degrees are awarded.

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