Russia Increases Military Training Hours for Middle School Students
According to a report by Reference News Network on September 16, Kyodo News reported on September 13 that Russian Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov revealed that starting from the new school term in September, the hours of basic military training for students in grades 8 to 11 (roughly equivalent to the second year of junior high to the second year of senior high in China—editor's note) will be increased. This news was reported by the Russian official media agency TASS on September 13.
Basic military training will be conducted within the framework of a course called "Fundamentals of National Security and Defense," where students will learn first aid skills and how to respond to evacuation orders. According to Kravtsov, the previous proportion of training hours was 20%, but starting in September, it will increase to 50%, totaling 68 hours of training over the four years starting from grade 8.
Basic military training was a compulsory subject in schools during the Soviet era, but according to TASS, this training was effectively abolished in 1990, before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict that began in February 2022, this training will be reinstated starting from the new school term in September 2023, with veterans and other professionals guiding students in the assembly and use of automatic rifles. (Translated by Liu Lin)
The Russian Ministry of Education announced an increase in military training hours for students in grades 8 to 11, effective September 2023. The training will now constitute 50% of the curriculum, up from 20%, and will cover first aid and evacuation procedures. This initiative is part of a course on 'National Security and Defense Basics' and is aimed at preparing students for potential military involvement.
- Russian education minister announced an increase in military training hours for students from grades 8 to 11.
- Military training will rise from 20% to 50% of the curriculum.
- Training includes first aid skills and response to evacuation orders.
- The program is part of a course on 'National Security and Defense Basics.'
- Military training was previously mandatory during the Soviet era but was abolished in 1990.