Lessons in War: How the Kremlin is Aligning School Curriculum and its Agenda

Cross:posted from: beehaw.org/post/12953917

Over the past few years, Russian authorities have significantly tightened control over what is taught in schools and how. For example, starting in September 2022 students have been attending a weekly flag-raising ceremony and listening to the national anthem before classes. They also attend mandatory lessons called “Conversations about Important Things,” where they learn about patriotism from the Kremlin’s viewpoint.

Any dissent schools is persecuted. In spring 2023, sixth-grader Masha Moskaleva drew an antiwar picture during a class, depicting the Ukrainian flag, the slogan “Glory to Ukraine” and Russian missiles.

“The teacher ran to the principal, who then called the police. The art teacher went and threatened my daughter, so when the officers arrived and waited for Masha at the entrance, asking all the children for their first and last names, my daughter immediately understood what was going on. She managed to slip away: she gave a false last name. She ran home, out of breath, and said, ‘dad, I was almost caught by the police, I drew a picture.’ My daughter was scared. I promised that the next day I would come to school and wait for her until the end of classes,” said Masha’s father, Alexei Moskalev.

Later, antiwar statements were found on social media belonging to Moskalev. He was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison.