Commission for National Education

(Polish, Komisja Edukacji Narodowej), from 1773 to 1794, the governmental body in charge of education in Poland. Established after the dissolution of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), the commission was to use the Jesuits’ property as the basis for establishing a new national school system. Such prominent representatives of the Polish Enlightenment as H. Kołłątaj, G. Piramowicz, and I. Potocki took part in its work. The commission reformed and secularized the system of secondary and higher education. It expanded instruction in the natural sciences and made Polish the language of instruction. The commission’s achievements were of great importance for the development of Polish culture and education.