The upcoming academic year in Russia is set to begin on a Friday, with students and families looking for notable changes across the system. According to the press service of the Ministry of Education, approximately two million first‑year students will begin their studies on September 1, marking an increase of about 160 thousand compared with 2022. In the new regions, roughly 320,000 students and 29,500 first‑year enrollees are expected to start the school year. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
Plans call for completing renovations at 281 facilities this year, including 125 kindergartens, 139 schools, and 17 secondary vocational education institutions in the new regions. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
In Moscow alone, around 1.1 million students will return to classrooms in the new academic year, with about 120,000 of them in the first year. On Knowledge Day, a series of ceremonial activities is expected in the capital’s schools, featuring the national anthem, the raising of the Russian flag, class hours, and introductory lessons. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
During the year, 27 new school buildings have already opened in Moscow, and 22 additional facilities are scheduled to open by year’s end. The curriculum is also expanding to include updated teaching standards across engineering, medicine, business, media and information technology, as well as new courses in psychology and pedagogy. A total of 94 new educational programs will be launched in Moscow colleges, with students in these programs set to obtain multiple qualification levels throughout their studies. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
The Moscow Electronic School (MES) has undergone modernization as well. Students and parents will be able to access comprehensive lesson schedules, including classroom assignments and department details, with MES extending to Moscow colleges. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
Among the prominent innovations this year is the reintroduction of silver medals. These medals will be awarded to students who complete no more than two quadriculations during the year and will contribute up to three additional points when applying to programs. The silver medal mirrors the gold in size and design, differing only in color, with the inscription “For special achievements in teaching,” an open book, and a laurel branch depicted on one side. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
High school students will begin their first exposure to life safety education (OBZh) this academic year. The curriculum for this training will vary by school, offering either a basic or an advanced level. Schools may also incorporate additional lessons and activities into their curricula or extracurricular plans. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
The Ministry has approved two complementary programs for extra courses. The first program features lectures and meetings with soldiers and veterans, trips to military units, demonstrations of military tactics, and military sports. Students will also have access to training camps at military‑patriotic centers. The second program introduces the basics of first aid and nursing. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
Additional courses will include instruction on unmanned aerial vehicles. For students in grades 10–11, the focus will be on countering hostile drones, reconnaissance, and field deployment of drones. The core life safety training will cover the Kalashnikov assault rifle, shooting rules, and grenades. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
Basic military education is also offered at universities through undergraduate, specialist, and additional vocational programs. The goal is to build foundational skills and capabilities to prepare students for military service or other public duties. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
Starting September 1, all eleventh‑graders in Russia will study new history textbooks that include sections on special military operations, Russia’s involvement in the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, and sanctions impact. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
The new textbooks were developed by MGIMO Rector Anatoly Torkunov and Alexander Chubaryan, head of the Institute of World History at the Russian Academy of Sciences. The price for the updated Russian history textbook is 849 rubles, about 20% cheaper than the previous edition, and the books will feature QR codes linking to archival materials. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
The ministry has also increased history education hours within non‑core university faculties. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
On a closing note, the current plan emphasizes a shift toward defense-related preparedness within the education system, integrating it across relevant curricula and activities. [Source: Ministry of Education press service]
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