First of all, number of nobles in Poland was much bigger, some say even 10% of population, which made it mostly the customary title, rarely followed by an actua

First of all, number of nobles in Poland was much bigger, some say even 10% of population, which made it mostly the customary title, rarely followed by an actual wealth. More importantly, since Poland was under Russian and German rule nobles were often dispossesed and persecuted. Maria Skłodowska-Curie herself had to earn her living (mostly by being private tutor), as did her husband, parents and others. So no, education was not rich women's entertainment, it was necessity.