During a parliamentary session held on February 11, the Polish Sejm discussed a legislative proposal aimed at reforming the educational landscape in response to the ongoing demographic crisis affecting small primary schools. Barbara Nowacka, the Minister of Education, took the floor to address the rising level of political maneuvering surrounding education policy, notably targeting the right-wing PiS party's approach. She asserted that the politicization of education debates has crossed unacceptable boundaries.

Nowacka highlighted the demographic challenges facing the country, noting that there are currently 131 primary schools with 25 or fewer students and 283 more with between 25 and 50 students. She emphasized the urgency to take proactive steps to support local communities in keeping small schools operational, arguing that abandonment of these institutions is not a viable option. Her comments reflect the government's commitment to prevent the closure of small schools as part of a broader strategy to deal with a declining population.

This discussion underscores the tension between the ruling party's approach to educational reform and the opposition's concerns about the implications for local communities. Nowacka's remarks not only criticize PiS but also frame the government’s initiative as a necessary response to demographic challenges, signaling potential policy shifts aimed at bolstering educational accessibility throughout Poland.