PCPM nostrification program. 800 teatchers from Ukraine can return to the profession
The Polish education system is facing a serious shortage of teachers. According to the Ministry of Education, more than 25,000 vacancies were in our schools in 2024. In addition, tens of thousands of children from Ukraine have started attending Polish schools, putting a huge strain on the system. The PCPM, with its support in the nostrification of diplomas of qualified personnel from Ukraine, not only helps refugees but also unburden the polish education system.
The conflict across our eastern border is now in its third year. Hundreds of thousands of people from Ukraine have fled the nightmare of war, including hundreds of qualified teachers and tens of thousands of children. Initially, the PCPM Foundation’s assistance focused on responding to needs on an ad hoc basis, but its form changed with each passing month. One of the most pressing problems was education in the broadest sense.
– Currently, we observe that resources for helping Ukraine are increasingly limited. Therefore, we are keen to promote self-reliance. The project we ran, related to teacher employment, now focuses on support for the nostrification of diplomas, improving competencies, and providing opportunities to support educational institutions. This allows teachers to apply for teaching positions on a par with Polish citizens. Of course, the challenge is the language barrier. Our Foundation emphasizes language courses that give teachers confidence in using Polish,” says Ewa Grodek, a project coordinator from PCPM Foundation.
Employment and training
In the first and second years of the war, PCPM hired more than 1,500 people as teaching aides in Polish schools. The “Cash for Work” program, which by design was a short-term intervention employment program in Poland, became a long-term commitment to local governments, education departments, educational institutions, and, most importantly, to refugees from Ukraine.
However, it was still a time-limited assistance, and the PCPM Foundation was keen on a systemic solution, especially since, according to Polish law, in September 2024, every Ukrainian child was obliged to attend Polish school.
Courses and nostrification
Ukrainian teachers are highly competent and eager to work. PCPM decided to turn these qualities into stability and incorporate these skills into the Polish education system, especially since qualified personnel are needed almost immediately.
The biggest barrier is language and translating Ukrainian documents into the Polish legal system. In 2024, the PCPM helped pass the process of confirming qualifications, which allowed applying for pedagogical positions on an equal footing with Polish citizens. Complementary to assisting with procedures, PCPM placed a very strong emphasis on language courses.
The Polish language classes made teachers more confident in their competencies and qualifications. The language barrier is an important element that results in those with competencies being unable to use them. For example, those who could teach mathematics did not feel confident enough and preferred lower positions.
This makes teachers feel more confident in their competence and qualifications. The language barrier is a significant insecurity that makes those competent in a subject unable to teach in Polish. The courses make it possible to change this, and teachers apply for positions that are suitable for their qualifications over time.
Successes
Thanks to PCPM, 360 people found employment in the education sector in 2024. The Foundation has also supported more than 450 people in diploma nostrification and postgraduate studies, and 386 people have taken Polish language training courses.
One such person is Anna Bursa, who came to Poland from Kharkiv shortly after the outbreak of full-scale war. At first, she and her son lived in a hostel and worked two jobs to put aside money to rent an independent apartment. She worked as a high school technology teacher in Ukraine and wants to return to her profession. The PCPM Foundation helped her to nostrify her diploma. The teacher also took Polish language courses. She is currently working in one of Warsaw’s elementary schools as a daycare center supervisor, and at the same time, she is studying pedagogy to become an art teacher.
The Ministry of Education estimates an additional 40,000 Ukrainian students will study in Polish schools starting in September. The new students have also joined the school where Anna Bursa works. There are more than 1,300 children in the school. Ms. Anna helped them adapt and find their way into the Polish system. – Parents know that I am from Ukraine and often come forward for help themselves,” explains Anna Bursa.
Another 800 teachers could benefit from the program
The Polish education system is facing a serious shortage of teachers. According to the Ministry of Education, there were over 25,000 teacher vacancies in 2024. To address this problem, CARE Poland, together with the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) and Unbreakable Ukraine Foundation, with the generous support of the Mosakowski Family Foundation, is running “U-teach – Ukrainian Teachers’ Education, Accreditation & Career Hub”. After successfully helping over 1,000 education professionals, this time we aim to help another 800 Ukrainian teachers meet the necessary requirements to secure employment in Polish schools.
This initiative focuses on two primary pathways: first, nostrification and recognition support, implemented by the Unbreakable Ukraine Foundation (UUF), and second, postgraduate and master’s studies, implemented by the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM, as well as common components such as Polish language courses and employment support.
It’s a help, thanks to which everyone gains: children – specialized care and experienced educators, teachers – jobs in line with their qualifications, local governments, and schools can fill posts with qualified staff.
– We are committed to lasting change, which will benefit students, parents, schools, and local governments,” says Daria Zebrowska of the PCPM Foundation.
