Polish president opens school year with appeal to students: Distinguish facts from opinions

President Karol Nawrocki opened Poland’s 2026/2027 school year with a message that schools should combine national identity and history with the confidence to use new technology.

Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka attended the ceremony at the Major Konstanty Mikołaj Radziwiłł Secondary School in Komornica, in the Mazowieckie region. The school has police, military and firefighting uniformed classes.

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A good Polish school requires awareness of who we are as Poles.

Nawrocki told students that their school years should bring education, relationships and friendship, adding that this period of life would not return. He said a good Polish school must put national identity, history and national memory first, while also looking toward the future and technological change.

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Technology is good, it cannot be feared, but I have been convinced that limiting smartphones and mobile phones in general schools is what will allow new relationships to be built.

The president also backed restrictions on smartphones and mobile phones in schools. Technology, he said, should not be feared, but students need to look away from their screens and at one another because dialogue begins when people listen and respond. He also called for education reforms to be introduced thoughtfully, without repeatedly surprising teachers or making students test subjects for new knowledge.

Marta Nawrocka told students that wearing a uniform carries responsibility and readiness to serve Poland and other people. She encouraged them to pursue their goals, build friendships and fulfill their dreams. The presidential couple presented the school with a national coat of arms.

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A uniform is a great responsibility, and also readiness to serve Poland and another person.