Background / Organisation

The training of music teachers for ordinary school types in Poland is organised as follows:
Preschool Teachers for Kindergartens

The same training is offered at both the teacher training colleges (“akademia pedagogiczna”) and the universities. The course of study (teacher training for preschool and primary school – “edukacja wczesnoszkolna z przedszkolną”) lasts five years (three years Bachelor + two years Master) and teaches chiefly music methodology.

In Polish kindergartens the subject of “rhythmics”, based on the ideas of Dalcroze and taught by an external specialist music teacher, is offered. These music teachers teach at several kindergartens.

Music Teachers for Grades 1-3 of Primary School (Ages 6-9)

The general education system in Poland is divided into four stages: three stages of compulsory schooling, each lasting three years, and four years of upper school:

·         Years 1-3: system of integrated instruction – “nauczanie zintegrowane”;

·         Years 4-6: three years of primary school – “szkola podstawowa”;

·         Years 7-9: secondary school I (lower school) – “gimnazjum”;

·         Years 10-13: four years of secondary school II (upper school), called grades 1-4 of “liceum”.

The training of primary school teachers, i.e. for years 1 to 3, takes place at university and consists of a three-year Bachelor’s and two-year Master’s degree course as teacher training for preschools and primary schools. Because primary education in Poland is not divided into separate subjects but provides general education covering all subjects with music as an integral part of particular topics, the class teacher is responsible for all subjects. This system of “integrated instruction” places high demands on teacher training. Music and the methodology of music are compulsory in this course of study, with emphasis on the following topics:

 

Secondary Education I (Lower School)

Music teachers for these schools are trained at three types of higher education institution: at all three the course is divided into a three-year Bachelor’s and a two-year Master’s degree course. This course of study covers music only; students do not need to take another subject.

·         at the music academies (“akademia muzyczna”): (see list of higher education institutions): teacher training for music education (“edukacja artystyczna w zakresie sztuki muzycznej”) and teacher training for choir and ensemble conducting;

·         at the universities: teacher training for music education (“edukacja artystyczna w zakresie sztuki muzycznej”);

·         at the teacher training colleges (“akademia pedagogiczna”): teacher training for music education (“edukacja artystyczna w zakresie sztuki muzycznej”).
Number of Students per Year

In Poland, approximately 2,000 students begin a teacher training course at one of 19 higher education institutions each year. Of these, 665 begin a Bachelor's and around 380 a Master's. 60% of the institutions offer correspondence courses. The number of students who begin a combined Bachelor's and Master's is around 690 each year. A further 180 students per year begin a Master’s course for post-graduates.