“I have always loved working with children and I really want to go back to teaching at school”
Since September, there are tens of thousands more pupils in Polish schools due to the introduction of compulsory schooling for children from Ukraine. New teachers, assistants, after-school care workers and psychologists have also joined the staff. Partly thanks to the support of the Polish Center for International Aid, CARE Poland and the Mosakowski Family Foundation.
The Polish Center for International Aid Foundation helps with the nostrification of diplomas, pays for Polish language courses and postgraduate studies for people from Ukraine who want to work in education sector. This ensures qualified staff – by preparing subject teachers and better adaptation of Ukrainian students, i.e., assistance tailored to the current challenges of Polish schools.
So far, the Foundation has helped almost 400 people from Ukraine. Over 250 people work in education in various positions in schools, and psychologists in clinics or on a helpline for children.
Some of the teachers are employed at the PCPM Education Center – a school where children from Ukraine study in a dual curriculum: Polish and Ukrainian.
When nostrification is not enough
The PCPM Foundation helps with completing and translating documents for nostrification, as well as contacts with universities. Education obtained in Ukraine is not always sufficient to take up employment in a school in Poland. That is why PCPM also co-finances postgraduate studies for those who cannot have their diploma nostrified or have already had nostrification, but want to upgrade their education and gain new competences in order to be able to apply for teaching positions. Studies increase the chances of finding a job in schools, kindergartens and universities, allow to gain the qualifications necessary to work as special educators and open the door to better employment opportunities.
PCPM also offers specialist Polish language courses that prepare teachers to conduct specialized classes.
Back to school
For many teachers from Ukraine, we create a chance to return to their beloved profession. Anna Bursa came to Poland from Kharkiv, just after the outbreak of a full-scale war. At first, she lived in a hostel with her son and worked two jobs to save up money to rent a separate apartment. In Ukraine, she worked in a high school as a technology teacher and she really wants to return to her profession. The PCPM Foundation helped her to have her diploma recognized. The teacher also took Polish language courses. She currently works in one of Warsaw’s primary schools as a daycare center supervisor and is also studying pedagogy to become an art teacher.
“My colleagues from work are very supportive and rooting for me,” says Anna Bursa, who is currently a daycare center supervisor in one of Warsaw’s primary schools.
The Ministry of National Education estimates that since September, an additional 40,000 students from Ukraine have been studying in Polish schools. New students have also joined the school where Anna Bursa works. There are over 1,300 children in the school.
Anna helps them adapt and find their way in the Polish system.
“Parents know that I am from Ukraine and often come for help themselves,” explains the teacher.
The determination of Ukrainian teachers to return to their profession knows no bounds. Nostrification of a diploma is not always enough. That is why the program also includes co-financing of postgraduate studies. One of the teachers currently living in Mazovia region (central Poland) took advantage of this opportunity:
– For almost 20 years I worked with children in grades 1-4. I love it and would like to go back to school. Unfortunately, my diploma from a pedagogical high school is insufficient to take up a job as a primary school teacher. Now I work in a kindergarten, I am in the third year of pedagogy, I am doing postgraduate studies in special education for teachers of children with autism and Asperger’s spectrum – she says.
Support that responds to challenges
This is the support thanks to which everyone gains: children – specialist care and experienced teachers, teachers – work in line with qualifications, local governments and schools – can fill positions with qualified staff.
– Over 250 people have already found employment in education. What is very important and what we emphasize is that the support is directed to people from Ukraine living throughout Poland. We do not limit ourselves to the capital city and the largest cities. The teachers we help currently work in schools and kindergartens all over Poland, from Szczecin (north-west Poland) to Rzeszów (south-east) and from Białystok (north-east) to Brzeg Dolny (south-west). We are still accepting applications – explains Ewa Grodek, project coordinator from the Polish Center for International Aid Foundation.
PCPM is constantly trying to adapt its assistance to changing challenges as best as possible, so that the people we support benefit and that it is beneficial for schools. Hence, not only support in the nostrification of diplomas, but also subsidies for postgraduate studies and language courses.
– We are committed to a long-lasting change, for the benefit of students, parents, schools and local governments – says Daria Żebrowska from the PCPM Foundation.
The programme “Supporting the employment of specialists from Ukraine in the Polish education system” is implemented by PCPM with the support of CARE Poland and the Mosakowski Family Foundation.
