Anna Glimos-Nadgórska

The Place of History Teaching in the Polish Educational System in the 20th Century

Since Poland regained its independence in 1918, history has been an essential part of the curricula in all types and levels of Polish schools. Importantly, it has always been given a special role in shaping the patriotic attitudes of students. Until 2012 this subject had been taught in a concentric system, where the programme of history lessons for primary school covered the entire history, from ancient times to modernity. This programme could later be used as the basis for a continuation of historical education at vocational or secondary schools.
In the present study, we focus on the synthetic presentation of the place that history and civic education have had in the curricula. We outline the goals found in the teaching programmes of these subjects, also with relation to students’ general knowledge and their personal development. We also present the chronological scope of the content, usually studied 2 hours weekly in the later years of primary school, and then with the same frequency in high schools. The particular goals of the programmes reflected the political situation in the country, and the stance of the ruling party
or other authorities.
The programmes of primary and secondary historical education included ancient times and the history of Poland, also in the context of the history of the world. The chronology, depending on
the period in the 20th century, usually finished with an individual event from the history of Poland and one from the most recent history. Historical education was completed by civic education, found in the curricula of the highest classes of primary schools and later in secondary schools. After 1945, civic education became an individual subject, although its name was being modified over the years.