Russia’s Ministry of Education has approved the introduction of a military training program for schoolchildren in grades 10-11, according to a decree published on the country’s official portal of legal information.
Military training will be held as part of “life safety” lessons, and will teach students to provide first aid, handle a Kalashnikov automatic rifle, and understand how to use the F-1 and RGD-5 grenades. The updated school program will also include lessons on the war in Ukraine as part of a broader Russian history course. The program will address «the significance of Russia in the world's political and socio-economic processes,” and discuss “the achievements of the country and its people,” according to the document.
The order was signed by Russian Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov. Schools across the country will have to adopt the new curriculum by September 1, 2023.
The decree preserves the “Important Conversations” initiative – a new extracurricular class where children are taught “patriotic values.” Attending the class is not mandatory, however, multiple media reports have documented the threats faced by students and their parents if they do not show up.