The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation has introduced a bast shoe themed educational module for schools. Sample training programs are included in its records, according to the department’s press service on a recent Friday.
The Lapta education module is designed for primary general, basic general, and secondary general education systems.
This module received approval through the decision of the federal association of education and methodology for general education and was added to the Register of exemplary basic general education programs maintained by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.
The ministry noted that the module will help students develop physical skills while also contributing to moral and character education. Programs 1-11 are suitable for use in physical education classes inside classrooms, as reported by DEA News.
Children learn to collaborate, take initiative, and stay determined while engaging in bast shoes activities.
The new training module aims to broaden the integration of physical education with extracurricular activities. Special emphasis will be placed on implementing the Lapta module within school sports clubs. Today, more than 32,000 school sports clubs operate across the education system, and by 2025 the goal is to have a sports club in every school.
The program was developed by the Russian Lapta Federation in collaboration with the Federal Center for Organizational and Methodological Support of Physical Education.
According to remarks by Sergey Fokin, President of the Russian Lapta Federation, inclusion of bast shoes in the curriculum will support the health of students at schools and help prepare young people for future service, while aligning with national health and physical readiness standards. He spoke in an interview with socialbites.ca about the educational value of the program.
“People’s Game”
Lapta is described as a traditional Russian team sport played with a ball and a stick on natural surfaces. The objective is to strike the ball with the stick, cross the field to the opposite side, and return without letting the opponent gain control of the ball. Points are awarded for each successful run, and the team with the most points within the allotted time is declared the winner. Related activities include baseball and cricket in a broader sports context.
Experts note that this heritage sport, once neglected, remains highly engaging and useful. In bast shoes, players rely on agility, controlled breathing, teamwork, attentiveness, quick footwork, precise striking, and unyielding confidence in one’s ability to prevail.
Alexander Kuprin once remarked on bast shoes, highlighting their challenging nature and enduring appeal in athletic writing from the early 20th century.
“General Readiness and Safety Education”
Recent reports indicate that the Ministry of Education and Science prepared a program for universities that includes elements of general life safety and preparedness. Earlier communications suggested that an introductory safety module would be part of the broader life safety curriculum, encompassing drills and practical exercises designed to instill basic safety awareness and response actions in students.
Public opinion surveys reflect a spectrum of attitudes toward such readiness education. A majority of respondents have expressed positive views about including safety training in the curriculum, with a smaller portion voicing concerns about its necessity or method of delivery.
Survey results show varied opinions on whether safety education should be required or optional, with parents and educators weighing the benefits of practical knowledge against potential concerns about burden and age appropriateness. The discussions focus on balancing everyday safety skills with the need to foster a sense of well-being and educational focus for young people.