History and ethics to replace English in Russian schools

Starting from the new academic year, significant changes will be made to the educational process in Russian schools. The main innovation is the strengthening of lessons based on historical knowledge and spiritual and patriotic ideas at the expense of certain subjects.

In particular, a new subject for grades 5-7, "Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia", will be introduced from the 2025/26 academic year. To this end, from September 1 of this year, English lessons will be reduced from three hours to two hours per week.

Also, the practice of behavioral assessment in schools will be reintroduced and piloted in some regions for students in grades 1 to 8.

These reforms in the education sector are said to be a gradual transition to unified state educational standards, which began in 2022.