Russian Lawmakers Consider Making GTO Standards Mandatory for Students and Staff
A State Duma deputy, Sergei Kolunov, proposed making GTO standards a compulsory part of the school curriculum for all students. His colleague, Anatoly Wasserman, went further, suggesting that teachers should also be required to meet the same benchmarks. In a discussion with socialbites.ca, Wasserman said he would raise the question with fellow deputies about imposing mandatory GTO testing for lawmakers, while candidly admitting that he personally tends to avoid physical education unless accountability compels him to participate.
Wasserman noted that some deputies may have disabilities that could complicate meeting the standards. He explained that when the idea is presented to schools, he intends to consult with his colleagues to gauge whether they could join the initiative. He added that, based on his father’s experience, dedicating about half an hour daily to physical training yielded tangible benefits, such as improved performance and efficiency in later work. He cited this personal example to illustrate how a modest daily investment in physical activity can translate into faster, more focused work in other areas of life.
According to Wasserman, lawmakers would “try” to adopt the standards if it becomes a requirement for those in power to pass the GTO. He described himself as generally healthy for his age but conceded that he lacks motivation to exercise unless compelled by circumstance or policy. He concluded that, if the public supports the idea, he would give it a try.
The discussion intensified on December 8 when Sergei Kolunov addressed the Russian Education Minister, Sergei Kravtsov, with a proposal to make the GTO test mandatory for schoolchildren across Russia, excluding individuals with medical contraindications. In subsequent remarks to RIA Novosti, Anatoly Wasserman suggested that the mandate could extend beyond students to include teachers and school medical staff, arguing that the GTO represents a basic level of physical development accessible to most people. This framing positions the GTO as a universal standard rather than a selective benchmark for a subset of the population.
Earlier reports noted that Wasserman had previously proposed educational discussions about “types of lies” using the historical example of the GULAG Archipelago, signaling a broader interest in integrating critical thinking and historical literacy into school curricula. This context suggests that the debate around GTO is part of a wider conversation about health, education, and civic responsibility in Russian public life. [Source attribution: socialbites.ca]”