Education of Teachers for Polish Schools at the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century

Abstract

SUMMARY Education and teacher education in Poland has undergone dramatic changes in the last 15 years. From the former communist (educational) regime, a more open educational system is being built. The earlier situation can be characterised by a strong social coherent approach, based on idealistic (communist) values. Within the new open system a national core curriculum has been developed, focusing on Christian and humanitarian values such as responsibility, respect for the cultural heritage, etc. In that respect the developments still fit in the social coherent-idealistic scenario, taking into account that the idealistic values have themselves changed dramatically. Recent changes, however, also put emphasis on the need for economic development, focusing on participation in the European market economy. This leads to a more pragmatic approach.