Regional Education in Polish Schools: A Case Study of the Kashubian Path

Abstract

Tradition and culture are the bonds that bind together successive generations living in a given area. This truth is clearly manifested in the case of Kashubia, a region located in the north of Poland. The region’s community is also united by its own language that is used within families, among neighbors, and in official relations. It should be acknowledged that the local population appreciates the fact that the ethno-dialect has been officially granted the status of a regional language. The socio-political changes of the late 20th century gave Kashubians the opportunity to nurture their cultural identity openly and have contributed to the promotion of the multi-dimensional richness of the region. An expression of these changes is the possibility of teaching the Kashubian language at school. The legal norms in force in Polish education, together with the National Minorities Act of 2005 and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, offer young Kashubians the opportunity to learn the Kashubian language, history, and culture at school. This has been made possible both by the funding provided by the state budget to the respective schools’ governing bodies and by well-trained staff educated at the University of Gdansk’s Kashubian ethno-philology department. An example of a school where the Kashubian language is successfully taught is the St. John Paul II Catholic Primary School in Gdynia. Children not only learn the language in the classroom, but also become familiar with the region’s culture, history, and unique way of life during field trips. Parents are also involved in regional education activities carried out as part of the “Kashubian path” initiative. Students proudly represent the school and the region during official ceremonies both inside and outside their school.