Roman Kowalczyk wrote, in a grandiloquent style, that schools should be free from political activity. Nevertheless, in the letter he himself referred to Andrzej Duda (who comes from PiS) and Prime Minister Morawiecki (currently PiS), calling their initiatives “hope for cooling emotions”. In turn, he called the All-Poland Women’s Strike a “radical left-wing organization”. The superintendent’s letter leaves no doubt as to which party in Poland is the only right party.

In his letter to teachers, the superintendent describes how educators should behave outside work, according to him, and adds the significant phrase “the internet neither sleeps nor forgets”, which may be perceived as a threat to monitor teachers’ private accounts. It may also suggest the possibility of drawing consequences on that basis.

Please, and I appeal to you, behave thoughtfully and with restraint also outside working hours, including in the virtual space (the internet neither sleeps nor forgets). It is worth remembering that anyone who engages in public debate bears a share of responsibility for its shape, quality and level. Everyone in the Republic of Poland has the right to unrestricted civic activity in their private time, but one does not cease to be a teacher or principal after lessons end – young people watch and learn, while students, parents, and the local and online communities comment.

Below, we present the full letter from Superintendent Roman Kowalczyk. You can share your opinions in the comments.

Wrocław 2020-11-02

Dear Principals and Teachers! Dear Colleagues!

The Polish state is a great and priceless value. It took the struggle and work, sweat and blood of several generations for Poland to return to the map of Europe after the First World War. Enormous effort and determination were needed to overthrow communist rule, break free from Moscow’s hobnailed boot and regain independence for the second time in the 20th century, at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. We contemporary Poles finally have our own democratic state. We are co-creating an open society and enjoy the full extent of civic rights. We can organize ourselves and freely express our convictions, opinions and views. Every few years, we elect authorities at various levels. We profess different values, have differing visions of Poland, and disagree and argue – this is natural in a democracy. Our fate rests in our hands, and only our hands. It is up to us, collectively, to decide what we will do with freedom, how we will understand and practice it. It is immensely important what values and attitudes we pass on to the younger generation. The task of teaching staff is to raise their charges in respect for truth and goodness, other people and nations, the state and the law. To teach reasonable, responsible freedom, a culture of speech and conduct, cooperation, resolving disputes assertively and peacefully, and pursuing one’s rights in a civilized manner.

I am writing to my Colleagues because I am sad and concerned. I worry because the epidemic is intensifying. In addition, for several days, following the Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling that deemed eugenic abortion unconstitutional, mass protests have been taking place in the streets of Polish cities, with some students and certain teachers participating. The initiator and coordinator of the demonstrations and marches is the radical left-wing organization “All-Poland Women’s Strike”. It demands “abortion on request” and has recently declared the “resignation of the government” its “main and final demand”. It established a Consultative Council that is supposed to “negotiate the terms of the government’s resignation” (sic!). Despite the epidemiological threat, opposition parties, which once called themselves “total”, are calling for and participating in the protests. In this way, social protest has de facto turned into a political action whose main and undisguised aim is to overthrow the government formed by a parliament resulting from free, democratic elections. Meanwhile, social conflicts and disputes over values cannot be resolved in the street amid often vulgar written slogans, shouts, threats and brawls, disturbing the peace of homes, or desecrating and vandalizing churches, monuments and public buildings. What is needed is calm and substantive discussion among the parties concerned, dialogue and a cooling of emotions. Hope is offered by the legislative initiative of President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, who submitted to the Sejm a compromise bill amending the Act on Family Planning, Protection of the Human Fetus and Conditions for Termination of Pregnancy, as well as Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s invitation to the opposition to talks. The matter is all the more urgent because, as virologists warn, mass gatherings may cause a significant increase in infections and thus the deaths of many people.

In this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic, political tensions, disputes over the scope of protection of unborn life and cases in which abortion is permissible, I sincerely ask for calm and responsibility, diligent performance of your duties, a focus on implementing the core curriculum, and compliance with the law. I ask that sharp ideological and political disputes not be transferred into schools, preschools and educational institutions, including by not displaying symbols of organizations that declare political aims. Educational institutions are, by law, and must remain, free from political activity. Regardless of the mode of teaching – in-person, hybrid or remote – lessons should take place in accordance with the applicable weekly timetable. Students’ absence from lessons and teachers’ absence from work due to participation in street protests must under no circumstances be excused. Encouraging students to participate in illegal gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic, putting pressure on and stigmatizing students who do not wish to take part in demonstrations and marches is unacceptable and reprehensible (fortunately, in Lower Silesia these are rare, isolated cases). I will intervene and respond firmly in every such situation. Please, and I appeal to you, behave thoughtfully and with restraint also outside working hours, including in the virtual space (the internet neither sleeps nor forgets). It is worth remembering that anyone who engages in public debate bears a share of responsibility for its shape, quality and level. Everyone in the Republic of Poland has the right to unrestricted civic activity in their private time, but one does not cease to be a teacher or principal after lessons end – young people watch and learn, while students, parents, and the local and online communities comment. The ancient Romans were right a thousand times over when they said: “Verba docent, sed exempla trahunt” (words teach, but examples inspire and encourage imitation). We have work to do; it appears that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, remote or hybrid teaching will remain part of everyday school life for longer. We bear the great and responsible task of properly educating and raising the younger generation. Let us be an example and a model for them.

Ladies and Gentlemen! Dear Colleagues!

If Poland is to grow and change for the better, it will be through work and unity, which truly builds. It is not without reason that the ancient Romans said: “Ubi concordia, ibi victoria” (where there is unity, there is victory). The more unity there is among the nation and within school communities, the better. I therefore ask for harmonious, dedicated work and for avoiding behavior that could violate the law and good manners, set school communities and local communities against one another, and create conflict.

“There is one sky for everyone and one sun above us” – as Don Vasyl and his Romani band sing. There is one Poland.

With respect and wishes for good health
Roman Kowalczyk
Lower Silesian Education Superintendent