Poland in the UK

The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh organized a gala dinner in recognition of the hard work and dedication of all the Polish teachers in Scotland. Nearly 200 teachers of Polish as well as representatives of Scottish organisations supporting the Polish education and learning Polish in Scotland took part in the event organised on the occasion of the International Polish Education Day in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. The co-organizer of the event was the Educational Society EDUS - the umbrella organization bringing together all Polish schools in Scotland. Currently, there are 28 schools in this part of the UK, and approximately 3,500 children study there.

The main goal of the event, which was held for the second time, was to thank and honour Polish teachers who teach Polish children and, by raising them in a patriotic spirit, help them maintain their Polish identity. The event was attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth, the Deputy Director of the Department of Cooperation with the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad (DWPPG) at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Beata Prądzyńska as well as the honorary president of the Polish Educational Society in London Aleksandra Podhorodecka.

At the beginning of the event, Consul General Łukasz Lutostański thanked teachers for their effort and contribution to maintaining Polish identity among children and young people of Polish origin living in Scotland. Consul General also thanked everyone for participating in the #WiemKimJestem (#IKnowWhoIAm) campaign initiated by the Consulate General in Edinburgh, encouraging Polish parents to enrol their children in Polish Saturday schools. According to data obtained by the Consulate, the number of children in most Polish schools in Scotland increased in the 2024/25 school year. Several new educational facilities were also established.

In her speech, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth acknowledged the work of Polish teachers and referred to the common Polish-Scottish historical heritage recalling that in Fife, the region she represents in the Scottish Parliament, Polish paratroopers were stationed and trained during World War II. Many of them stayed in Scotland and raised their families here, and their descendants live in Fife to this day.

Beata Prądzyńska, Deputy Director of DWPPG, talked about government programmes for young Poles living abroad established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to encourage their return and settling down permanently in Poland.

After the opening speeches and a three course dinner, the participants had an opportunity to listen to a lecture by dr. Aneta Nott-Bower, who specialises in bilingualism.

Zdj. A.Stefaniak, Edus