Ministry plans to streamline schoolwork burden for students
In Russian education, a series of new scheduling proposals have been unveiled, affecting primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools. One of the key elements in these proposals is the integration of "Conversations on Important Matters" (Важные разговоры) into the school routine.
This extracurricular activity, which began on September 5, 2022, is now an integral part of the curricula in primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and vocational education. However, it's important to note that "Conversations on Important Matters" is not a part of the scheduling options for primary, lower secondary, or upper secondary education that were previously mentioned.
Each school can adapt these proposed schedules to their specific conditions, but they must adhere to the unified federal requirements. The activity is not exclusive to specific grades or options.
In primary school (grades 1-4), "Conversations on Important Matters" are scheduled on Wednesdays. For lower secondary school (grades 5-9), these conversations take place on Tuesdays. In upper secondary school (grades 10-11), they are organized on Fridays.
Thursdays, on the other hand, are dedicated to the career guidance course, "Russia - My Horizons," for students in grades 6-11. This course is not a part of the "Conversations on Important Matters."
It's worth noting that "Conversations on Important Matters" is not a career guidance course either. Each session is preceded by a mandatory assembly with the Russian anthem and flag-raising. The first lesson in all grades and options is dedicated to these conversations.
A separate initiative, proposed by the Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, on August 9, 2025, is the potential abolition of homework due to excessive student workload. This proposal is not directly related to "Conversations on Important Matters."
The career guidance course, "Russia - My Horizons," is only offered on Thursdays, and schools must organize the first lesson as this course for students in the specified grades.
These changes aim to provide a more balanced and engaging educational experience for Russian students, fostering discussions on important matters and guiding them towards their future careers.
The integration of "Conversations on Important Matters" into the school routine is part of the education-and-self-development, learning process in Russian schools, affecting primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools. Each school session beginning with these conversations is a learning opportunity for students.
