Russia is in the process of ‘ideologizing’ schools

Ministry of Education supported the idea of introducing "patriotic" school badges as an element of school uniform. The design of these badges will be developed jointly with the Russian children and youth movement "Frontiers First". Earlier, first Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Committee on Education Yana Lantratova addressed Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov with a proposal to introduce school badges. As noted by the parliamentarian, wearing such badges is an important element for upbringing, belonging and identification. In her words, they are to become “a source of pride for the rising generation, an attribute of patriotism, high moral standards as it was back in Soviet Union”.

This initiative is the latest step in strengthening the ideological processing of Russian children. RDDM "Frontiers First" is a state project, created in July 2022, which is under the direct supervision of Vladimir Putin. According to Federal Law No. 261-FZ, the President of the Russian Federation directly controls all three permanent governing bodies of RDDC: the supervisory board, the coordination council and the board itself. In Russia, also being implemented is a federal project “Patriotic upbringing of citizens of the Russian Federation”, within which to staff working hours educational establishments introduced position called “adviser to director on educational work” (analogue chief warrant officer in military units). In addition, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh) launches a mentoring project “Heroes of Special Operations” over growing generations.