A proposed bill in Russia would require all educational institutions to display the national flag on their buildings starting with the upcoming academic year, and the measure has been submitted to the State Duma. The official document detailing the draft appeared in the Duma’s electronic magazine database, a repository widely used for publishing and indexing legislative materials.
The project specifies that the Russian flag must be flown on the façades of every educational establishment, extending beyond schools to colleges and universities as well. At present, the mandatory display of the state flag is limited to general educational organizations such as primary and secondary schools, lyceums, and gymnasiums. The bill broadens the scope to include all levels of formal education, creating a uniform national symbol across the entire spectrum of learning institutions.
Olga Kazakova, the chairperson of the State Duma Education Committee and one of the authors of the initiative, stated that the flag should be visible at every educational facility. Her remarks underscore a belief that national identity and civic education are reinforced through a visible national symbol on school and campus buildings. The deputy’s comments reflect a broader legislative aim to align educational spaces with a shared national ethos and to emphasize unity within the education system.
In expressing the bill’s guiding principle, Kazakova remarked that the Education Law already anchors a core idea: the unity of teaching and training. This framing suggests that the flag’s display is intended not merely as a ceremonial obligation but as a tangible representation of the integrated approach to instruction and character formation within the country’s education system. The proposal presents the flag as a constant backdrop to learning, symbolizing continuity between national values and everyday academic life.
If enacted, the measure would take effect from September 1, 2024, aligning with the start of the new academic year. Supporters argue that the policy would standardize a national symbol across institutions and reinforce the sense of belonging among students and staff. Critics may raise questions about the practical implications, including maintenance, design specifications, and the handling of regional or institutional differences, but proponents emphasize that a consistent national emblem on school and campus buildings would create a unified visual language across the educational landscape.