There will be five primary-school classes and two first-year lower-secondary classes at the school of the Piarist Fathers in Bolesławiec. Classes 1–3 will have up to 20 pupils, while classes 4–5 will have up to 22 pupils each. Parents have enrolled 130 children at the school of the Piarist Fathers, including 30 from outside Bolesławiec.
The first qualification interviews with pupils’ parents are currently under way. Interviews with the pupils will follow.
“The interviews are no secret,” Father Adam Langhammer, deputy head of the School Complex in Katowice, said at Friday’s press conference. “We ask parents whether they are ready to follow our rules. This includes, among other things, their willingness to raise their child in accordance with Catholic values. Our rules can be read on boleslawiec.pijarzy.pl.”
According to the clergyman, the school’s advantages will include a single-shift schedule (all pupils will have classes from 8:00 a.m., and the after-school club will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), classes of no more than 22 pupils, and a greater number of mathematics and physics lessons.
Teachers have submitted around one hundred applications for jobs at the school. The first qualification interviews will begin in April and May. The Piarists are focusing on young teachers familiar with the Internet and new technologies, but they stress that age is not the most important factor—skills are. Teachers’ salaries will be the same as in state schools. For now, however, there will not be many permanent employment contracts. Ultimately, the Order will employ several dozen teachers in Bolesławiec.
“I emphasise that the school is free of charge,” Adam Langhammer said. “But parents ask about additional costs. They will pay 30 zlotys a year for access to the electronic register. The first uniform is free; a second one may be purchased. We also ask parents to donate 1% of their tax and make anonymous donations to our schools. However, we know from conversations with parents that some will not be able to support us, and that is not a problem,” the clergyman added.
At the press conference, it was assured that the school is Catholic by design but open to people of other faiths or views. They only need to declare that they agree to their children being raised according to Christian principles. Each school day begins with prayer, and there will also be a Mass for pupils once a week.
“There will also be a chapel at the school where every pupil will be able to pray,” Langhammer added. “We want to teach children discipline and cooperate with parents in raising them. Our priorities are safe upbringing, Christian values and high-quality education.”
(information: GH)