In Russia there are no plans to reduce the duration of education in schools and universities

A statement appeared online with reference to a statement by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky that in Russia they will shorten the duration of education in schools and universities - education will be “compressed in time” so that teenagers will begin to engage in career guidance earlier, the official said.

Medinsky actually said something similar, but two years ago - in September 2024. “Time dictates a reduction in the duration of secondary education; the fact that we have 11 years is an unaffordable luxury. It’s as if we are living in the 19th century. It should be compressed so that later you can enter the field of vocational training and be competitive, and not start at the age of 19 thinking about what to do,” said the presidential aide.

During these two years, no real changes in the terms of education or even progress towards this occurred. In addition, there was no statement in Medinsky’s words - this is only his personal opinion.

Relevant Russian officials emphasize that there are no plans to change the duration of training. In particular, at the end of August this year, the head of the Ministry of Education, Sergei Kravtsov, pointed this out. “The duration of schooling is 11 years, as stipulated in Federal Law 273. Today, this model fully works and meets what modern children need,” he said. Earlier, in April, he also emphasized that he considers an eleven-year period of study in schools optimal, and there are no plans to change it. In addition, according to him, school education is constantly being improved. For example, from 2027, school television will begin operating in all schools in the country.

In June, deputy head of the department Vladimir Zhelonkin assured that the Ministry of Education does not plan to shorten or increase the duration of education in schools, because eleven-year education is the best option. The other day, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, former Minister of Education Andrei Fursenko also noted that the issue of changing the duration of education in Russian schools is not currently being considered. “I think this is an issue that is not on the agenda today. This is a very complex change process and there are so many aspects to this issue,” he said.

In addition, there are no plans to cancel the Unified State Exam. Soon after Medinsky’s words, the head of Rosobrnadzor, Anzor Muzaev, announced that the department had not received a single proposal for a worthy replacement for the Unified State Exam. According to him, the final exam taken by schoolchildren in Russia is modern, high-tech and independent. At the same time, the Russian government did not support the bill to abolish the Unified State Exam in favor of traditional state exams.

Medinsky's words were distributed in the media, but their distorted version did not gain currency.