Russian schools will start teaching on the military campaign in Ukraine

From the start of the next school year in September, Russian schools will hold classes explaining the objectives of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, Russian Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov announced today.

“We really did this work and intensified it from the beginning of the special operation, because a whole storm of absolutely incredible misinformation has fallen on children, fake news about our country,” Kravtsov said during a telematic meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the head of Russian Education, today “Social Sciences and History classes have already been held on what is really happening: what is the purpose of the special operation, to help our people, denazify and demilitarize the Donbas”.

“We are already working on organizing these classes from September 1,” he added.

The meeting also talked about the possibility of resuming the practice of raising the Russian flag and singing the national anthem, an initiative that Putin celebrated.

“I think this is something that is right and required. But it must be done in a dignified way, or postponed where it is not possible to do so. So that the ceremony corresponds in meaning to the symbols of the State,” said the president.

TEACHERS' COMPLAINT

Teachers across Russia have received the same or similar teaching guides, according to two teacher unions, two other teachers and social media posts from two schools reporting that they have taught the modules.

Olga Miryasova, a union official called Teacher, said that regional education authorities have distributed the learning guide Shestakov received in several schools across the country.

The initiative shows how the Russian state, which has tightened its grip on the mainstream media, is now extending its propaganda efforts about the war in Ukraine to schools as the Kremlin tries to strengthen support. Since the beginning of the war, many Russian schools have posted images on social media showing students sending messages of support to troops fighting in Ukraine and standing in formation to spell the letter “Z”, a symbol of support for the war in Russia.

Teachers who disagree with the war are now joining opposition activists, non-governmental organization activists and independent journalists who feel pressure from the Russian state, facing fines, prosecutions and the prospect of losing their jobs. Putin signed a law in early March that would criminalize the dissemination of “false” information about the Russian armed forces with fines or prison terms of up to 15 years.

Kravtsov told a parliamentary committee in March that his ministry had launched a national campaign to discuss Russian-Ukrainian relations with students, amid questions from children about the situation in Ukraine and sanctions.

The Kremlin has said it is enforcing laws to thwart extremism and threats to stability. He says he is carrying out a “special operation” to destroy the military capabilities of his southern neighbor and “denazify” Ukraine and prevent genocide against Russian-speakers, especially in the east of the country. Kiev and its Western allies have dismissed this as an unfounded pretext for war, accusing Russian troops of killing civilians.

(with information from EFE)

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