Russia unveils new ‘historical education’ programme for all ages that includes ‘large-scale events’ dedicated to Ukraine war
Russia's Education Ministry has approved and distributed to regional authorities a new “historical education” framework spanning every level of the education system, from kindergarten to higher education. The goal of the programme is to “shape civic identity among young people,” the ministry told state media agency RIA Novosti.
Practical components will include “large-scale events” dedicated to World War II and the war in Ukraine, as well as themed academic competitions, projects, and history clubs. Minister Sergey Kravtsov said the initiative will place particular attention on teaching pupils to “critically evaluate information, work with sources, and counter the falsification of history”.
The five-year programme includes plans for a dedicated information platform to be launched in 2027, with rollout set to begin on 1 September.
The framework is the latest in a long series of ideological measures introduced into Russian schools in recent years.
Beginning in the upcoming academic year, students in grades 5–7 will study a new compulsory subject called “Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia”, or “DNA of Russia”, developed at Vladimir Putin's instruction.
The government has also drafted a package of measures to combat what it calls “negative phenomena" among young people, including networks of student “cyber-brigades" tasked with monitoring their peers online and assisting security services in enforcing internet blocks.
In April, Russian schools began holding dedicated lessons warning pupils against the use of VPNs. The curriculum warns children that bypassing internet blocks is against the law and may be associated with drug use.
