In a shocking incident that has raised eyebrows across Warsaw, Polish politicians Janusz Kowalski and Robert Bąkiewicz made headlines for their unexpected intrusion into Primary School No. 209 in Bielany. The event, which unfolded on May 9, 2025, was characterized by the mayor of Bielany, Grzegorz Pietruczuk, as a gross overreach of authority and an act of intimidation against the school’s staff.
According to Pietruczuk, the two men, accompanied by a crew from wPolsce24 television, entered the school premises under the pretext of investigating the alleged removal of national emblems from classrooms, a claim that he vehemently denied. "The reason for their intervention, which I believe was an overstep of a member of parliament's authority and an abuse, was the supposed removal of the emblems from the walls in classrooms where the eighth-grade exams are to be held. Nothing of the sort actually took place," he stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The mayor expressed his outrage, noting that the presence of Kowalski and Bąkiewicz made the school staff feel threatened. "The personnel felt endangered by their presence and words," he remarked. Despite being asked to leave the premises, the politicians proceeded to occupy the headmaster's office, further escalating the situation.
In response to this alarming behavior, Pietruczuk immediately contacted the local police, who dispatched a patrol to the school. However, by the time officers arrived, Kowalski and Bąkiewicz had already departed for the district office, where they were unable to meet with the mayor, as he was attending another official engagement. "I invite them to schedule a visit like everyone else," Pietruczuk quipped, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
The incident has not only incited local outrage but has also drawn a stern response from the Ministry of National Education (MEN). The ministry emphasized that schools should remain free from election campaigns and political events. In a statement, MEN asserted that the actions of Kowalski and Bąkiewicz were unacceptable and that the allegations they put forth were false. "We remind you that the national emblem is displayed in classrooms, including during exams. No decision has been made by any school authority or local government to remove them," the statement read.
As the dust settles on this incident, the Bielany town hall is taking steps to ensure that such events do not recur. Pietruczuk announced plans to file a complaint against Kowalski with Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, as well as a complaint to the National Broadcasting Council regarding the conduct of wPolsce24 during the event. He also indicated that the town hall would seek police protection for the school on May 13, when the eighth-grade exams are set to commence, to prevent any similar occurrences.
Amidst the backlash, Kowalski defended his actions, claiming he acted on behalf of concerned parents who had informed him that the headmaster intended to remove the national emblems. "There is a recording where the head of school No. 209 admits to wanting to take down the Polish emblems from classrooms. For that, she should resign," Kowalski asserted, portraying his intervention as a necessary act of oversight.
He described the situation within the school as calm and respectful, stating, "We went in to talk, but the headmaster fled within 30 seconds. Everything the mayor wrote is untrue." Kowalski's remarks, however, have done little to quell the rising tensions surrounding the incident.
Pietruczuk's response included a call to the public to refrain from engaging in a campaign of hatred against the headmaster and staff based on unfounded allegations. He noted that there had already been a surge of online threats and hate directed towards the headmaster, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of school staff. "Let us not allow our children to be subjected to such aggressive scenes, especially with exams approaching," he urged, emphasizing the need for a supportive environment for students.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the role of politicians in schools and the importance of maintaining educational spaces free from political interference. As the situation develops, the community remains on high alert, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and integrity of its educational institutions.
With the eighth-grade exams just days away, the focus now shifts to ensuring that students can take their tests in a calm and secure environment, free from the shadows of political drama. The mayor's commitment to protecting the school and its staff is a critical step in restoring peace and normalcy in the face of such disruptive actions.
