Tusk Opens School Year with Warning: Do Not Give In to Contempt

Prime Minister Donald Tusk used the opening of Poland’s school year to deliver a warning about contempt, telling students in Wieluń not to turn difference or weakness into a reason for hostility.

Speaking at School Complex No. 1, Tusk referred to Wieluń’s history and the outbreak of World War II. He said every generation must remember the suffering caused by war and work to avoid aggression, hatred and contempt.

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Never give in to the trend of despising someone because they are different or weaker. Hatred, violence and aggression lead only to evil.

Tusk told students that daily relationships with classmates matter more than speeches about civic education. He said school, neighborhood and club memories include not only good experiences, but also moments when people saw wrongdoing and failed to respond.

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The most important lesson in civic education is not the teachers’ words in class, and certainly not politicians’ speeches at school, but your daily life and how you treat your classmates.

Education Minister Barbara Nowacka described Sept. 1 as an exceptional day in Poland because it marks both the start of the school year and the anniversary of the war’s outbreak. She said students could begin the year with pride and relief because they were safe in school.

Nowacka also referred to the threat posed by Russian aggression and programs such as “Education with the Military.” She said the message from Westerplatte should be heard in every school: no more war, no more Poland standing alone, and no more lack of strength or resilience.

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September 1 in Poland is an exceptional day, because it is the beginning of the school year but above all the anniversary of the outbreak of war.