https://doi.org/10.21697/zp.2025.25.4.05
There are no explicit statutory provisions in Polish legislation on centres for the
provision of religious instruction outside the school system, nonetheless it can be argued that there is a legal framework consisting of constitutional, legislative and executive regulations that establishes general legal parameters for the organisation of religious instruction in such centres intended for students interested in religious education at the school or pre-school level. Funding is an important aspect of the running of such centres. While theoretically the costs of religious education provided by such institutions are to be covered by school boards, in practice additional agreements with local authorities are often required. For schools and entities administered by Polish State administrative authorities, such arrangements need to be coordinated with these bodies. The constitutional right of parents to educate their children according to their personal beliefs and convictions and the obligation of the State to provide opportunities for religious instruction are reflected in the provisions of the Polish Educational System Act. This act of legislation allows for traditional religious instruction classes taught in the schools, and for alternative forms, including classes conducted in extracurricular centres for religious instruction. Such centres are indispensable because usually they cater for a relatively small number of pupils needing this kind of religious instruction. As an alternative to religious education within the school system, extracurricular religious instruction centres offer an important mechanism to ensure the children of religious minorities living in Poland of an education in accordance with their religious beliefs.
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