The University of Silesia has launched the ‘Regionalna Edukacja na Śląsku’ programme, financed by the Ministry of National Education (agreement No. MEN/2024/DKO/2265). The programme is to develop and implement the concept for education about the region, including developing modern and attractive educational materials. The programme includes launching a dedicated website and producing recordings and audiobooks. The meeting organised on this occasion was connected with the launch of postgraduate studies in Region – Language and Culture. The position of the Chair of the Scientific Council for the programme was assumed by Prof. Jolanta Tambor, the Vice-Chair of the Silesian Language Council and the Director of the USil School of Polish Language and Culture.
During the meeting, the floor was taken by Barbara Nowacka, the Minister of National Education, who talked about the opportunities the programme gives and the role of regional education:
‘I am incredibly honoured to be here, on the very launch of the degree programme that is to help teachers in Silesia foster the region and its traditions in the context of teaching the local language. After all, patriotism does not only mean concerning Poland as a strong, great nation and thinking about its future; it’s also about concerning those smaller motherlands likewise.’
The programme was also inaugurated by Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, the Rector of the University of Silesia. Apart from them, the list of guests included:
- Wojciech Saługa, Marshall of the Silesian Voivodeship;
- Prof. Eng. Marek Gzik, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education;
- Monika Rosa, Member of Sejm of Poland;
- Urszula Koszutska, Member of Sejm of Poland;
- Halina Bieda, Senator to the Senate of Poland;
- Waldemar Bojarun, Vice-President of Katowice.
Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, the Rector of the University of Silesia, confirmed the need for the new degree programme: ‘Residents of our region have the right to have their language and culture taught and subject to academic studies. And this duty is fulfilled by the University of Silesia.’
In the meantime, two events of great importance for teachers were taking place in different cities in the region: the Regional Educatorium in Cieszyn and the Regional Educatorium in Rybnik, both attracting several hundreds of people. Both events connected online with Katowice, where the challenges of regional education were discussed and experiences of modern didactics were exchanged. The meetings featured:
- Mieczysław Szczurek, Vice Starosta of Cieszyn Poviat;
- Wojciech Kiljańczyk, Vice Mayor of the City of Rybnik;
- Katarzyna Trynda, PhD, Assoc. Prof., Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education;
- Agnieszka Tambor, PhD, Coordinator of the Regional Educatorium in Cieszyn.
- Aleksandra Achtelik, PhD, DLitt, Coordinator of the Regional Educatorium in Rybnik.
Find more information about the postgraduate studies in Region – Language and Culture on a dedicated website. The degree programme is addressed to teachers working in primary and secondary schools, cultural animators, museum workers, regional educators, and supervisors or guardians of groups in cultural centres, day care centres, people involved in shaping attitudes of respect and openness towards the region.
