The Russian government is promoting patriotism among children through educational materials. In Novosibirsk, several schools received a textbook that encourages students to prepare for sacrifice for their country. The book contains controversial claims, including equating homosexuality with pedophilia and describing Europeans negatively. It emphasizes the war in Ukraine, suggesting that dying for one's country is a noble act.
The textbook is part of a curriculum introduced in 2022, despite not being on the national core curriculum list. It reflects the Kremlin's efforts to instill propaganda in schools. One student, Ilya, expressed his opposition to the idea of dying for the country, stating it serves the interests of the president rather than the nation. He noted that he began to question the government after the blocking of platforms like YouTube, prompting him to seek alternative information sources.
Students report that propaganda has become a significant part of their education, with new subjects focusing on homeland security. Ilya mentioned instances where students faced reprimands for non-patriotic behavior, such as wearing clothing with English slogans.
Another student, Alexei, observed that many classmates avoid patriotic events and have developed an interest in politics due to government censorship. Educator Dima Zicer noted that some students embrace pro-government sentiments, while others, like Ilya and Alexei, desire an end to the conflict and plan to leave Russia after graduation.
This article was originally published in Russian.