In the coastal village of Zima Yuzhnaya, a sudden surge of demand for first grade enrollment prompted a night stay for about 30 parents at the local school. This was reported by NewsVL.ru on its Telegram channel and echoed by residents watching the unfolding situation unfold in real time.
Residents of Zima Yuzhnaya are racing to secure spots for their children in the first grade at the newly built school. The municipality, specifically the Nadezhdinsky district, oversaw the transfer of the new school and kindergarten from the developer DNS Development after construction. Yet the district administration has been enrolling only two first graders per class, while the village itself is home to around a hundred potential first graders who were expected to fill the classrooms.
Nighttime lines formed at the school as parents sought to ensure a place for their children. A video captured by local residents shows the queue stretching along the school entrance and going beyond the doorway. The footage was widely shared and sparked discussion on the challenges facing the start of the school year in this community.
One parent who spoke on the video thanked the school director for allowing families to stay and wait in line, explaining that this approach gave them a chance to secure a seat for their child. The scene highlighted a common parental anxiety around school enrollment and the lengths families will go to when the system faces crowding and limited seats.
In related coverage, VL.ru reported concerns that the school is facing difficulties in recruiting a sufficient number of teachers. The MBOU Educational Center Format has been actively posting announcements seeking staff for primary classes and specialized subjects, including mathematics, computer science, physics, Russian language and literature, and roles in additional education, methodical support, and coordination. The situation points to broader staffing pressures in rural communities where attracting qualified educators remains a persistent challenge.
Earlier, city officials in Yekaterinburg announced a policy change to allow children of participants in special military operations to enroll in schools without the typical queue, a measure aimed at reducing barriers for affected families and ensuring access to education during a time of heightened security concerns. This decision reflects ongoing efforts to address inequities in school access and to provide support for families facing unusual circumstances.