The political party Razem has proposed a law to reduce the number of children per preschool group from 25 to 18, arguing that government closures of preschools are illogical and detrimental.
On February 19, the political party Razem presented a law proposal in the Polish parliament aimed at reducing the maximum number of children in preschool groups from 25 to 18, while ensuring continued funding. The party's leader, Adrian Zandberg, criticized recent government actions that led to the closure of preschools across Poland, labeling these closures as an absurdity given the previous investments in preschool infrastructure and teacher training. He argued that the declining birthrate should be viewed as an opportunity to improve educational standards rather than a reason for closing down facilities.
Zandberg emphasized the importance of maintaining smaller group sizes in preschools to enable teachers to focus adequately on each child, enhancing the quality of education. He noted that across the country, there are signals indicating discontent among educators who feel that the government's approach undermines their efforts. Marcelina Zawisza, another member of the Razem party, supported the initiative, highlighting that teachers stand firmly behind the proposed changes as they strive for better educational environments.
The backdrop of this legislative effort comes in response to a trend where preschools are being closed supposedly due to demographic concerns, which Zandberg argues is a misguided rationale. The party's proposal seeks to reframe the discussion towards investing in preschool education rather than cutting resources, as they believe quality education in early childhood is essential for the nation's future. This initiative raises important questions about government priorities in education and could significantly impact early childhood education policy in Poland.
