Strengthening Families, Science, and Education: Key Points from the President’s Address

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The message delivered by President Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly centers on a enduring commitment to boosting family support as a core policy aim, with increasingly robust measures tied to each new child. This emphasis comes as a clear signal that the state plans to expand and streamline benefits for families, ensuring that child-rearing is recognized as a central social and economic priority. The discussion was framed by Anna Kuznetsova, a deputy secretary of the General Council of United Russia and head of the party’s family support commission, who underscored the government’s readiness to translate the president’s words into concrete action on the ground.

In remarks that followed, it was stated that the party will immediately seek practical pathways for implementing the Family national project. The deputy chairman of the State Duma added that ongoing efforts are underway to monitor and evaluate family support measures across the nation’s regions, with a view to harmonizing and expanding benefits where needs are greatest. The aim is to create a cohesive national framework that captures all existing support mechanisms for families with children and to identify gaps that require new policy instruments or targeted funding.

One key point highlighted by the delegation is that, in the absence of a dedicated unit for child and family support, the new national project will enable a comprehensive collection and coordination of existing measures. The broad theme of family preservation ran through the entire message, with explicit targets set to improve the overall well‑being of households with children. The commitment to act on these targets was asserted firmly, with the public channel of United Russia providing the outline for the corresponding steps and timelines.

On the science front, Alexander Mazhuga, who serves as first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science, noted that the president’s address signals an increase in funding for science. This financial boost is framed as a foundation for achieving technological sovereignty and greater national resilience in a competitive global environment. The conversation identified two main programs that currently underpin scientific advancement: Priority 2030, a crucial program for long‑term research and development, and the initiative to establish elite engineering schools that cultivate next‑generation engineers and researchers. These initiatives align with the broader people’s program, reinforcing the party’s aim to align science policy with national development goals.

Another major area of support discussed is infrastructure, particularly in higher education. The plan calls for sizable investments in the overhaul of university dormitories, a move welcomed by students and educators alike. It was announced that an additional 124 billion rubles will be allocated to modernize dormitories, a measure designed to improve living conditions and to attract and retain high‑quality faculty and students. A second pillar focuses on the construction and enhancement of university campuses. With 25 campuses already in operation, the projection is to reach 40 campuses by 2030, a step that would expand access to education and stimulate regional development. These campus projects are described as part of a broader push for scientific and technological leadership, with the party promising to provide a robust legal framework to support these new developments and ensure they are integrated into national strategies for innovation and competitiveness.

Olga Kazakova, who leads the State Duma Education Committee, drew attention to the President’s directive to overhaul technical school and college dormitories, noting that this initiative continues a chain of education infrastructure improvements. She emphasized that students and teachers have long awaited decisive action to raise the standard of living and working conditions in these facilities. The plan to renovate and upgrade facilities, along with the corresponding funding, represents a direct form of support that reinforces the educational system’s ability to attract talent, sustain teacher morale, and foster a culture of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

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