Stop Indoctrination in Russian Schools
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian authorities have used the education system as a tool for political indoctrination. Schools are forced to justify the war through official narratives, militarized patriotism and loyalty to government policies, while restricting alternative viewpoints. Demand the Russian Ministry of Education make schools places of learning, not instruments of ideological control.
What’s the problem?
The Russian authorities have weaponized the school system as a tool for indoctrination to justify Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
Schools are instructed to spread propaganda and disinformation. Students are given government-written history textbooks, special weekly classes and special lectures on the war. These teaching materials undermine human rights and whitewash violations of international humanitarian law in the name of Russia’s national interests.
Since September 2022, every Monday in every school starts with an hour of so-called ‘Important Conversations’. These lessons promote patriotism and societal values, often manipulating students towards government-approved positions. From September 2026, similar classes will be introduced at all kindergartens.
Why do the warriors of the Special Military Operation deserve to be called defenders of the Fatherland?
Topic Guide for the ‘Important Conversation’ on 27 January 2025
The authorities are also using schools to identify and silence potential dissenters. Children are taught to avoid independent media and other sources of alternative information and opinion. School staff are instructed to monitor students’ behaviour and record their opinions on political and other issues. If a student is disloyal, teachers must report them to the police and security services, resulting in reprisals against them and their families.
The Russian Ministry of Education is responsible for providing teaching materials, guidance and educational initiatives. They are indoctrinating children to support a war instead of protecting their right to education.
What you can do to help
Call on the Russian Ministry of Education to respect, protect and fulfil students’ rights to quality education, to freedom of expression and association and to privacy. Education must be free from indoctrination.