Strategies of teachers towards Muslim students in Polish schools

Abstract

Due to over 40 years of seclusion behind the iron curtain (until 1989) and the myth of a single ethnicity, single religion nation, the Polish education system lacks exposure to a multireligious classroom environment. With EU accession in 2004, the situation is gradually changing. Although higher education facilities provide teachers with comprehensive training in this matter, the actual first-hand experience is rare and new. In this paper, we used an exploratory study, based on qualitative data collected in autumn 2022, using an interpretative approach, to identify and describe strategies for the best practices of teachers when working with Muslim students in a Polish classroom. The empirical data was derived from 37 interviews with teachers (25) and with Muslim students (12) covering 5 voivodeships. We aim to provide a valuable source of information for professionals on how to create an inclusive classroom environment. The exploratory study is part of a larger research project that received funding from the EU, titled EMPATHY: Challenging discourse about Islam and Muslims in Poland, [101049389 CERV-2021-EQUAL]. In effect, we identified 2 predominant strategies of teachers for engagement with Muslim students and several best practice examples on how to overcome obstacles to classroom inclusion.