The most dramatic decline was recorded at the General and Vocational Education Complex, where the number of students attending catechism classes fell from 121 (37.58%) in the 2023/2024 school year to just 43 (14.93%) in 2024/2025.
Similar trends are visible throughout Lwówek County. At the Economic and Technical Schools Complex in Rakowice Wielkie, participation fell from 56.08% to 27.35%. A slight increase in participation was observed only at the Educational and Care Facilities Complex in Lwówek Śląski.
The Polish Bishops’ Conference notes that the traditional transmission of faith within families is losing importance, while young people are increasingly making their religious choices independently. A tendency for the younger generation to abandon religious practices is also being observed.
In response to declining interest in religion classes, school principals are deciding to combine classes across year groups, as permitted by a regulation of the Ministry of National Education dated September 1, 2024. In addition, new regulations concerning the organization of religion and ethics classes in public schools will enter into force on September 1, 2025, following public consultations completed in December 2024.
These changes point to a profound social transformation: even in smaller towns such as Lwówek Śląski, young people are increasingly turning away from traditional religious practices and choosing their own spiritual path.
The latest data can be found at lwowecki.info/powiat-lwowecki-spada-liczba-uczniow-uczeszczajacych-na-religie