In Szczecin, more than 88% of general high school students and more than 92% of technical school students have opted out of health education. The statistics look slightly better in elementary schools, but it is difficult to talk about success when more than 56% of students drop out of lessons. In the opinion of medics from the Regional Medical Chamber in Szczecin, a noble educational idea has been distorted, allowing the school subject to become entangled in a polarizing discussion of ideology.
Health education debacle: an embarrassment that is hard to describe in words
Published Oct. 15, 2025 15:11
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The subject of health education was supposed to be compulsory - the District Medical Chamber in Szczecin at the time spoke positively about the idea of teaching young people about body structure, prevention, hygiene or issues related to a healthy lifestyle.
The political discussion has made the subject not compulsory, and statistics of students being discharged from the subject show that there is little interest in it.
According to the president of the Regional Medical Council in Szczecin, Michal Bulsa, political polarization has created a very unpleasant atmosphere around the positive idea of education. The chairman admits that the number of resignations from health education is alarming.
An incredible failure of politicians. Destroying an idea like health education through a single curriculum issue and blowing up the entire subject is a discredit that is hard to describe in words. We need a subject in which students will be taught prevention, healthy lifestyles, and how to respond to society's health needs and challenges. Young people will be educated through the Internet, and all we will achieve is a set back in matters of knowledge and awareness of young people. I am amazed at what has happened.
- Young people need to learn about their bodies. The topic of health education has been closed in the threads of ideology and sexuality. As a gynecologist-obstetrician, I think it's obvious that not everyone wants to talk about such topics, but after all, there's nothing wrong with teaching people to take care of their bodies, to examine their breasts, to examine their testicles or how our bodies react to various factors. We load millions of zlotys into prevention campaigns, and we are afraid to talk about prevention in schools. Politicians should be ashamed of themselves. These statistics are proof of how polarization is destroying our public life," says Michal Bulsa.
There was no one to work on health education
The president of the Regional Medical Council in Szczecin does not spare unpleasant words for those in power who have failed to prepare health education in an appropriate manner, resulting in widespread criticism, a great educational idea.
- Three ministers were supposed to work on this project: health, sports and education. Two were dismissed, and at some point most of this team was concerned with the election campaign, not with substantive issues. As doctors, we were ready to join in the discussion and even in the preparation of substantive issues for the subject. In Szczecin, no one wanted to use our knowledge," Michal Bulsa says bluntly.
In Poland, the number of opt-outs in elementary schools ranges from 50 to 60%, and in secondary schools the average is about 80%. There are some classes where all students have opted out of health education.
Source: OIL in Szczecin
