Russia is debating a possible reduction of the school curriculum. The discussion was triggered by statements made during work on new federal educational standards due to take effect on September 1, 2027. Officials say the goal is to make schooling more modern and more practical.
Rosobrnadzor chief Anzor Muzaev told Moskovsky Komsomolets that too many unnecessary topics had accumulated in school courses, creating excessive pressure on both children and teachers. The newspaper also reported, without a direct quote, that 15% to 30% of material could be removed in grades 4 through 9. State Duma Deputy Speaker Boris Chernyshov separately proposed abolishing the nationwide assessment tests.
Later, an unnamed Rosobrnadzor representative told Fontanka that such changes would fall under the authority of the Education Ministry, not their agency. Earlier this spring, officials also discussed shortening school education from 11 years to 10, but the ministry opposed that idea.
The proposal looks like an attempt to reduce academic load rather than the volume of patriotic activities that have long filled the school system, says Dmitry Tsybiryov of the project Ne Norma.
Psychologist and former school principal Dima Zicer likewise argues that the curriculum is overloaded, primarily because of disciplines and practices imposed in recent years. At the same time, he says some parts of mathematics and physics could indeed be revised if practicing teachers were put in charge.
Teachers, parents and university lecturers interviewed by the publication cite other causes of the crisis as well: staff shortages, weak teacher training, an exam-driven system and subjects disconnected from real life. Some say that without a deep overhaul of the entire system, simply removing topics will change little.