Ukrainian Pupils Learn in Polish Schools
More than 227,000 Ukrainian citizens attend Polish schools in the 2026/2027 academic year, as the two countries expand language education.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Language Learning
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Over 227,000 Ukrainian citizens attend Polish schools in the 2026/2027 academic year. Polish schools have offered Ukrainian as a second foreign language since September 2025.
Why it matters
The figures reflect growing language and educational ties between Ukraine and Poland. Expanded access to Polish-language materials and exams supports students moving between the two school systems.
Some 51 Polish-language textbook titles for grades 5-8 have been published since 2023 with funding from Ukraine's state budget. Since 2024, NMT questions have been translated into Polish for applicants, except for language and literature subjects.
The players
Barbara Nowacka
Barbara Nowacka is the Polish minister of education who met with her Ukrainian counterpart in Lviv to discuss cooperation on language education.
Andrii Butenko
Andrii Butenko is the Ukrainian minister of education who met with Polish minister Barbara Nowacka in Lviv during visits to Polish-language lyceums.
The details
Ukrainian minister Andrii Butenko and Polish minister Barbara Nowacka met in Lviv and visited lyceums where Polish-community children study in their native language. Around 4,500 Ukrainian applicants took the National Multi-subject Test at temporary centres in nine Polish cities.
Timeline
September 2025: Polish schools began offering Ukrainian as a second foreign language.
2023: Funding for Polish-language textbook publication in Ukraine began.
2024: NMT questions translated into Polish became available to applicants.
2026/2027 academic year: More than 227,000 Ukrainian citizens attend Polish schools.
Language Bridge
Ukraine's state-budget funding of 51 Polish-language textbook titles for grades 5-8, begun in 2023, is now matched by enrollment of more than 227,000 Ukrainian citizens in Polish schools in 2026/2027. The rise of 16% in Polish study in Ukraine since 2021/2022 shows the program's reach beyond border communities.
Families considering enrolling children in Polish schools can review how Ukrainian is taught as a second foreign language. Students preparing for Poland's matura or the NMT should check which exam materials are available in Polish.
The takeaway
Bilingual schooling and translated exams show how education systems can adapt to large student movements. Parents and students weighing language choices benefit from comparing available materials and exam formats early.
Further reading
Explore more on Language Learning to see how schools and students are adapting to bilingual education.
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