Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoes three bills including state electronic gradebook

Presidential decisions on seven bills

On 28 August 2026, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced decisions on seven acts passed by the Sejm. The president signed four bills into law and vetoed three. The approved legislation covers professional self-governments for architects and civil engineers, commercial quality of agri-food products, post-flood recovery measures, and sustainable aviation support. The three vetoed acts include amendments to the Educational Law regarding a state electronic gradebook, changes to the Environmental Protection Law concerning air quality appeals, and revisions to the Energy Law.

Rejection of the state school gradebook pilot

The blocked amendment to the Educational Law sought to launch a pilot program for a state-run electronic gradebook (eDziennik) in primary and secondary schools during the 2026/2027 school year. The system, integrated with the Educational Information System, was intended as a free public alternative to commercial platforms. Nawrocki argued that the proposed central database would store sensitive student information, including PESEL identification numbers, photographs, grades, attendance, and special educational needs records, without adequate encryption standards or mandatory security audits. He also noted that the system would cost over 200 million zlotys from public funds and warned against rushed implementation.

I will not sign this act in its current form. I am not saying no to a state eDziennik. I am saying: prepare well, prepare better.

Government criticism and political reactions

Members of the governing coalition criticized the veto, describing it as a decision that protects private software vendors. Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka characterized the move on social media as a lobbying veto. Deputy Minister of Education Katarzyna Lubnauer stated that parents would continue paying commercial subscription fees while student records remain on private servers. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski argued that the decision leaves data control with foreign commercial operators rather than under public protection. Conversely, independent lawmaker and teacher Marcin Józefaciuk supported the veto, stating that student data should not be used to test unfinished software and proposing a revised timeline with a pilot in the 2027/2028 school year.

Environmental and energy legislation vetoes

The president also vetoed changes to the Environmental Protection Law that would have enabled residents and organizations to challenge municipal air protection programs based on factual interest without proving direct legal injury. The presidential chancellery stated that this provision could allow outside or foreign entities to block local infrastructure projects, such as roads and manufacturing plants. The third veto targeted amendments to the Energy Law, which lawmakers passed on 31 July 2026 to resolve transition gaps created by a previous reform in March 2026. Nawrocki argued that revising regulations only months after their initial passage creates legal uncertainty for investors and grid operators.