The aftermath of the international financial crisis of 2008/2009 and current economic downturn in the world economy has unsurprisingly put publicly-funded higher education (HE) systems under immense pressure in most parts of the world. Added to measures of the past 20 years, aiming at introducing cost effective management approaches imported from…

Political changes in Poland are affecting the educational sector. There is a need for regulation in adult education, and the polycentric model is shifting government responsibility for education from financial support to political and moral oversight. (SK)

Noting that economic crisis until recently was considered a peculiar characteristic of free-enterprise economies, this article provides factual information demonstrating the economic crisis in the planned economies of eastern Europe. It describes in detail the consequences of the crisis for education in Poland. (JDH)

A brief overview of the development of Polish education since the Second World War precedes a discussion of preschool education in Poland. The education of very young children is viewed seriously in Poland and has become a socially approved part of the system of education. Discussion focuses on the structure of preschool education, financing, and…

A study of need and strategies for higher education reform in East Central Europe is summarized. The study was based on separate studies in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, each from the perspective of those involved in the systems. Research/development policy, government role, funding, faculty, and international collaboration…

One college administrator's experience in a professional development program with Polish university administrators is described. Aspects of Polish higher education (finance, professional development for administrator, the student-faculty relationship, relationship of the university with alumni and the community) were found to provide perspective…