“Macierz Szkolna” indignant at disrespect for Polish language

The Association of Polish Schools Teachers “Macierz Szkolna” in Lithuania is indignant at culpable errors made in a Polish text included in standardised tests for eight-grade students. It addressed a letter to the Minister of Education and Science and the director of the National Examination Centre with reference to the case.

The Association of Polish Schools Teachers “Macierz Szkolna” [trans. Educational Society] in Lithuania addressed a letter to Audronė Pitrenienė, Minister of Education and Science in Lithuania, and Saulė Vingelienė, the director of the National Examination Centre, which concerned culpable negligence in the preparation of standardised tests for eight-grade students.

“Having read and analysed the Polish translation of the text, we were shocked by the number of stylistic, logical, and grammatical errors on each and every page of the test. So what result can we expect from a student if they are given such a sloppily prepared test,” we can read in the letter written to the Ministry.

“Macierz Szkolna” points out also that, for example, a Polish translation of the Article 31 of the Lithuanian Constitution in tests does not correspond to the original text, changes its meaning, which is actually a criminal act in this case.

Moreover, as “Macierz Szkolna” claims, it can be seen as a disrespect for the nationality, in this case the Polish one, since in the same sentence the word “Litwin” [Lithuanian] is written – in accordance with Polish spelling rules – with a capital letter, while “polak” [Pole] – in lowercase. What also makes reading difficult for the Polish students is fuzzy footnotes presenting sources.

“The conclusion is that the work has been performed irresponsibly, infringing rules of the preparation of tests and students’ interests. It diminishes authority of two important educational institutions: the Ministry of Education and Science and the National Examination Centre. Therefore, we would like to ask you to address this issue and take appropriate action so that there are not such irresponsible, if not criminal acts in future again,” the letter reads.