Studies without a high school diploma for thousands of people. The president will decide on the "removal of the barrier"

• A petition has been submitted to the office of the President of the Republic of Poland, the authors of which demand changes in access to studies.
• In their opinion, people with special educational needs should be able to study without taking the Matura exam.
• According to the petition's authors, this exam is too stressful for them, which is why it constitutes an insurmountable barrier for many.

A petition has been submitted to President Andrzej Duda's office, the authors of which want changes to the Law on Higher Education and Science. They are requesting the addition of provisions enabling a person with special educational needs, who has a secondary education, to undertake first-cycle studies or uniform master's studies. This applies to people with disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD or those on the autism spectrum.

According to the applicants, removing or easing the high school leaving certificate barrier in accessing higher education for people with special educational needs may contribute to a fuller use of the talents of the younger generation.

The petition's authors cite research that indicates that 43% of high school graduates admitted that the fear of failing their exams is one of their biggest worries. More than half of high school graduates (50–70%) experience increased anxiety in the pre-exam period. Between 20 and 40% have depressive symptoms. Only 6% of students assess their stress level before the exam as low.

The applicants also point to significant differences in the exam pass rate for high school graduates without a psychological and pedagogical counseling center opinion and those with (PPP) an opinion. Data from the Central Examination Board (CKE) show that the overall percentage of those passing the exam on the first attempt is usually around 80% (in 2023 – 84.4%). For students with a PPP opinion, this percentage is much lower.

As an example, they cite the results of the mathematics exam in 2020 - among students with diagnosed dyscalculia, only 50% of those taking the exam passed the matriculation exam in this subject, while the national average was 79%.

Such a large difference (almost 30 percentage points) proves the scale of the challenges faced by people with mathematical disabilities - we read in the justification for the petition.

Its authors also emphasize that the number of people diagnosed with specific difficulties is growing year by year. To confirm this, they cite CKE data, which show that in the years 2008-2018 about 7% of candidates had a PPP opinion, and in 2023 it was already 24.6% of high school graduates.

- The requirement for the Matura examination to be a necessary condition for admission to higher education has been a subject of discussion in the educational and academic community for years - the authors of the petition point out.

As we read on the official website of the president, the petition was forwarded to the legal unit of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.

Compulsory Matura exam in mathematics is a "tool for segregation and elimination"

This is another attempt to introduce changes concerning high school graduates. It is worth recalling that the Ministry of National Education recently dealt with a petition whose author appealed for the abolition of the mandatory high school leaving exam in mathematics .

In his opinion, the current math exam is a tool for segregation and elimination, not equalization of opportunities. It does not take into account the fact that students are diverse, have different needs, different strengths. Therefore, it should not be mandatory.

- I am requesting the abolition of the mandatory written Matura exam in mathematics. The current education system, which requires every student to take an exam in this subject, does not meet the diverse needs, talents, and intellectual capabilities of young people in Poland - we read in the justification.

In response to the petition, the Ministry of National Education indicated that the matriculation examination in mathematics at the basic level is the only reliable tool for verifying the level of knowledge and skills of students, including in the area of ​​mathematical competences.

- Without these tools there will be no possibility of drawing any conclusions for education - it was emphasized.

The Ministry also ensures that the education system has solutions that provide support for people with specific learning difficulties.

The 2025 Matura exams are in full swing. For the first time, over 275 thousand students are taking them

The 2025 Matura is underway. The exam marathon began on May 5 and will last until May 22. The oral part will be held from May 9 to 24 (except for May 11 and May 16-18). As reported by CKE, this year around 275 thousand graduates of 4-year general secondary schools, 5-year technical schools and second-degree vocational schools will take the exams.

Every high school graduate must take three written exams at the basic level: Polish, mathematics and a modern foreign language. Two oral exams are also mandatory: Polish and a foreign language.

To pass the Matura exam, you must obtain at least 30% of points in compulsory subjects taken at the basic level.