Regained independence of Poland in 1918 resulted in the preparation of the constitution. For this purpose, a Constitutional Committee was established in the Legislative Parliament. The Committee received applications with draft constitution prepared by the government and parliamentary clubs. Issues related to religious education were present in the drafts of the constitution. The purpose of this article is to discuss this issue during the constitutional debate.
The first reading of the bills of the government and of the PSL “Wyzwolenie” (May 6th to 13th, 1919) resulted in submission of the bills for further work in the Constitutional Committee, which also received other drafts of parliamentary clubs. The commission prepared a joint draft of the constitution, which was issued in the form no. 1883. In the title V “Rights to be freely civic bundles” art. 125 was included, which stated compulsory religious education for children and adolescents. Its teaching was to be supervised by the competent ecclesiastical authority in compliance with state regulations. The discussion on this project took place in two stages. Members of the centrist and conservative parties were for teaching religion, and socialists – against. During the discussion on the proposed provision, amendments were tabled, which were to be discussed at the meeting of the Constitutional Committee.
The constitutional commission in February and early March 1921 worked out the draft constitution, and the third reading took place. After corrections, the article on teaching religion was numbered 120. Structurally it did not differ much from the previously planned art. 125. MPs’ positions were the same as at the second reading. Art. 120 of the Constitution on religious teaching covered the following scope: compulsory religion education up to the age of 18 in schools fully or partially supported by the state or local government authorities; the direction and supervision of religious instruction belonged to the relevant religious association, subject to supervision by the state school authorities.