The Future of Higher Education in Poland

Abstract

Two probable developmental scenarios for higher education in Poland are presented. These scenarios are painted from the perspective of a politician, not someone who works in a higher education establishment and therefore naturally defends his own interests and those of the scientific community. The first option, labelled the conservative scenario, is the most probable one and predicts that the three basic legal solutions governing higher education will remain unchanged: the constitutional principle of free higher education, the monopoly of state universities and the survival of “tenure” (employment until retirement). As a result, Poland will be viewed as a reservoir of cheap labour (some of it educated) and the most gifted and motivated young people will move to international corporations and universities. The second (pro-developmental, optimistic) scenario predicts, among other things: organisational changes at the central level (merging of Ministry of National Education structures responsible for higher education with the State Committee of Scientific Research to form one ministry), equal access of state and non-state universities to public funds, introduction of “education coupons” and real equality of diplomas. Before presenting these options the author characterises the ongoing changes in higher education in OECD countries and Poland.