A statement from Andrei Turchak, Secretary of the General Council of United Russia, outlines new admission priorities for participants in the special military operation (SVO) and their children. The plan prioritizes access to colleges and technical schools, relaxing the requirement for school certificate results and not relying on a targeted educational agreement. The emphasis is on providing pathways within the education system while ensuring fair competition where it remains relevant.
The official indicated that these amendments, introduced by the SVO working group in the State Duma, do not eliminate competition. They are designed to balance specific circumstances with the general admission framework. The core idea is to offer an advantage when all other criteria are equal, such as identical exam scores, to recognize service and sacrifice without rendering the process non-competitive.
In his words, participants in the special operations and their children would gain a favorable position in admission processes when scores are the same. He emphasized that the families of seriously injured military personnel and law enforcement officers will be eligible to enter military and related educational institutions without competing in the standard sense. This mechanism acknowledges personal risk and service while maintaining fairness across applicant pools.
Turchak noted that similar measures have previously been applied to universities through the initiative of the working group, reflecting a broader approach to educational access for those connected to national service. In this context, the potential expansion of these advantages into secondary vocational education is anticipated, signaling a phased extension of priority admissions across the education system.
The SVO issues working group was established by presidential order. It is chaired by Andrei Turchak, who serves as First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council and Secretary of the General Council of United Russia. This leadership structure underscores the government’s intention to coordinate and monitor the impact of admission priorities on students, families, and institutions. The discussions surrounding these amendments highlight ongoing efforts to align education policy with national service considerations, while preserving competitive integrity in admissions where appropriate. [Source: United Russia releases and official statements]
Experts note that the policy reflects a broader trend toward integrating public service experience with educational opportunities. Advocates argue that recognizing military and law enforcement service can help sustain a pipeline of skilled individuals into technical and strategic fields. Critics, meanwhile, stress the need for transparent criteria and clear guidelines to prevent any perception of misaligned advantages. In practice, the approach aims to balance merit with meaningful recognition of sacrifice, ensuring that qualifications and academic potential still play a decisive role in most admission decisions. [Attribution: party communications and governmental briefings]