Russia to prioritize moral values over literacy in preschool reform

Russia's Education Minister, Sergey Kravtsov, has announced a shift in the national preschool curriculum, prioritizing moral and cultural upbringing over traditional academic skills like reading and counting. Speaking to RIA Novosti, Kravtsov stated that kindergartens should function as spaces for upbringing rather than merely preparing children for school.

The Ministry is currently updating the federal state educational standard (FGOS) and the federal preschool program. This initiative is part of a broader government plan that has designated 2026 as the ‘Year of Preschool Education.’

New programs, such as ‘Kind Games,’ have already begun rolling out across the country following pilot programs in 19 regions. Deputy Education Minister Olga Kolodarova described these activities as being centered on ‘spiritual and moral values.’ The curriculum for children aged 3 to 5 includes themes such as ‘Peoples of Russia’ and ‘A Corner of Russia is My Native Land,’ which utilize materials designed to teach children about protecting the motherland.