Starting September 5, schools across the country will spend hours on so-called “discussions about important things,” Sergei Novikov, head of the presidential directorate of social works, told Tass, the state news agency. These “conversations” will focus on the values of Russian society as enshrined in the country’s national security strategy, he said. The Ministry of Education will start implementing the new classroom discussions in schools in August, Novikov said. According to the Kremlin’s website, Novikov oversees President Putin’s efforts to “strengthen the spiritual and moral foundations of Russian society” and improve the “patriotic education of youth.” of Russia
