The outline of the history of Polish education during the Partitions of the Poland is presented in the article as a very important stage of critical experiences for Poles, caught up in a foreign culture and social policy imposed by the invaders. Despite restrictions and prohibitions, a strong need to gain independence was expressed at that time by national uprisings in the form of the November Uprising and the January Uprising; hope for regaining Polish culture in the Napoleonic era; opposition to Prussian Germanization in the western territories and Russification by tsarist Russia in the Kingdom of Poland. Especially that the imposition of a foreign culture was directed at children as part of their education. An important and difficult stage for Polish culture and education was shown in the struggle of Poles for independence during World War I, and the interwar period was even the exam of maturity. The time of rebuild of the country and the national identity was then based on outstanding authorities giving the character of Polish education, such as, among others, Maciej Rataj. The time of the Second World War, shown in general terms, indicate heroism and the struggle with the occupant to maintain, inter alia, Polish education.