Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to instill ‘patriotic education’ in the nation’s schools and universities are running into strong resistance from hundreds of thousands of parents and teachers. Putin, who cultivated a strongman image during his time in office, has increasingly called for patriotism to be part of the nation’s school curriculum, but it appears his efforts are not gaining the traction he had hoped.
Why is Putin’s ‘Patriotic Education’ Termed as Controversial?
Vladimir Putin’s attempts to control the education system in Russia have been met with strong criticism, both at home and abroad. Putin and his allies insist that ‘patriotic education’ will help build a stronger, more prosperous Russia and boost patriotism. Opponents say it’s a ploy to instil political loyalty and further tighten the Kremlin’s grip on the education system, which already enjoys considerable influence from the state.
The rising resistance to Putin’s policies has forced the Kremlin to back down, at least for now. A series of protests by parents and teachers culminated in a campaign of civil disobedience in April 2020, when hundreds of schools across the country were shut down in response to the proposed changes to the curriculum. The movement, which was organised mainly through social media, had an immediate impact, forcing the Kremlin to suspend the proposed changes.
Parents and Teachers’ Reasons for Resisting
The resistance to Putin’s ‘patriotic education’ campaign has been driven mainly by parents and teachers. Parents are generally wary of the increased state control and interference in the educational system. They fear that the new curriculum would give the government too much control over what their children are taught and potentially limit access to information and resources. Furthermore, they argue that their children should have the right to receive a good education without the heavy political leanings of the state.
Russian teachers have also been staunchly opposed to the proposed changes, citing concerns about the unregulated nature of the new curriculum. They argue that the proposed changes would not only lead to a dumbing down of educational standards, but also erode the independence of teachers by making them subject to state control.
Organised Protests Against the ‘Patriotic Education’
The resistance against the government’s push for ‘patriotic education’ has been largely united, organised and vocal. In April 2020, organised protests saw hundreds of schools across Russia shut down as teachers and parents united in their opposition to the proposed changes. The protest movement was driven largely by social media, with many of the participants expressing their anger online.
The protest campaign was a success, with the Kremlin backing down and suspending the proposed changes, at least for the time being. The success of the protests has encouraged parents and teachers to continue their crusade against government interference in the education system.
Future of Putin’s ‘Patriotic Education’
Whilst it appears that Putin’s ‘patriotic education’ plans are on hold for now, there are still fears that the Kremlin could try to push through the changes in the future. This could be a major challenge for the many parents and teachers who have united in their opposition to the plans.
Despite this, the opposition to the proposed changes has shown that parents and teachers in Russia are willing to stand up to the government when it comes to ensuring their children receive a good education, free of state interference. This could be a sign that Russia’s education system is entering an era of greater autonomy, and perhaps, eventually, greater freedom.
