Schools in Russia are now placing an even greater emphasis on the Kremlin’s narratives about the war in Ukraine and its confrontation with the West. As students across the country return to school clad in white shirts and carrying bouquets, they are being exposed to the state’s views on patriotism and nationalism.
Under the weekly subject of “Conversations about Important Things,” introduced last year, students are expected to listen to Russia’s national anthem and watch the country’s tricolor flag being raised. A new high school history textbook includes a chapter on the annexation of Crimea and the “special military operation,” the Kremlin’s term for the war. Basic military training is also included in a course on self-defense and first aid.
President Vladimir Putin himself has taken an active role in promoting these narratives, meeting with 30 school students from different regions and describing Russians as “an invincible nation.” The Kremlin dubbed it “an open lesson” as part of the “Conversations About Important Things” program.
Experts believe that the Kremlin’s renewed focus on young people is driven by the realization that a whole generation of Russians who grew up with Putin as president may think differently than the Kremlin wants them to. The government has invested in pushing its political narrative and cracking down on opposition or anti-government views expressed by teachers and students alike.
There have been numerous reports of teachers dressing down or calling the police on students who express dissenting views. The crackdown has intensified since Russia’s involvement in Ukraine, with teachers being fired or forced to quit for refusing to hold the “Conversations About Important Things.”
Parents are expressing concerns about these mandatory lessons and their impact on their children. Some feel unsettled by the sudden militarization of their children’s minds and the rewriting of history textbooks to justify the actions of the Russian government. They worry that Russian schools are reverting to the worst Soviet examples, where two histories and two truths existed.
However, some parents consider themselves lucky to have their children attend schools where teachers are trying to stay away from politics and not follow the directives to the letter. These parents believe that well-educated and critical-thinking teachers can still circumvent the requirements and subtly undermine the state’s indoctrination efforts.
As Russia continues to push its narratives in schools, it remains to be seen how the younger generation will respond and whether they will conform to the Kremlin’s views or develop their own critical perspectives.
The ongoing emphasis on patriotism and nationalism in Russian schools reflects the government’s desire to shape the minds of young people and ensure their loyalty to the state’s agenda. Whether this strategy will be successful in the long run remains to be seen.
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