By: James Hu

Ever since the onset of the war with Ukraine, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has placed an iron grip on education, enforcing that kids learn about Russian culture, war, and its “geopolitical situation”. Putin has stated that this is needed for his “rebirth” for Russia.

Starting in first grade, students will now go through weekly tours featuring war films and virtual to be be taught about topics regarding the Russian “rebirth” under the president Vladimir V. Putin. They will also be taught the “traditional values” of Russian culture as well as an enrollment to a new patriotic youth movement similar to what is reflected in the growth of the Soviet Union’s red-cravatted “Pioneers”.

The plan, which is scheduled to start in September, has come as the results of the government’s hasty choice with Mr. Putin’s military power and patriotic influence to mobilize the Russian society and eliminate any signs of betrayal.

The conflict is far from over. With each and every step the war treads on the “effective measures” on which the government have inflicted upon the growing local population. “Patriotism should be the dominant value of our people.” stated a Senior Kremlin official, Aleksander Kharichev. The present state of definition is simply: “Readiness to give one’s life for the Motherland.”

The Kremlin has already stated punishments for people who oppose the war, such as forcing them into exile, or jailing them. Victims of these punishments include students in education, academics, writers, and even bloggers.

These new policies represent a system of propaganda within children’s education that symbolizes the regression of learning. The final obstacle is now explaining why in this moment a child should care about why some people are killing others.