In one of the schools in Bashkiria, the parents of a student for missing the lessons "Conversations about the Important" were threatened to involve the police and the commission on juvenile affairs, and in more "serious cases" even to recognize the child as "neglected." A photo of the school's response to parents was published by Avtozak Live with reference to the Alliance of Teachers.
Despite the fact that "Talk about Important" is an extracurricular activity, and the right to choose whether to attend these lessons remains with the parents of the students, the media and Telegram channels have repeatedly reported that parents of students and the students themselves are threatened if they do not attend.
Earlier, RIA Novosti published fake news stating that students of general education institutions are required to attend "Talk about Important" lessons. The news agency referred to the clarifications of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. However, there is no such statement in the explanations of the Ministry of Education. In fact, the authorities evade the answer to the question of the obligation to attend, publishing the wording “in accordance with the Federal State Educational Standard, extracurricular activities are part of the educational program” (FGOS – Federal State Educational Standards).
Lessons "Talk about the important" itself is defined by the Ministry of Education as teaching schoolchildren about patriotism, the history of the country and its cultural values. In June, it was reported that among the topics of such class hours were the 110th anniversary of the author of the anthems of the USSR and Russia, Sergei Mikhalkov, "The Immortal Regiment" and "reunification with the Crimea." In St. Petersburg, during the preparation of teachers for these lessons, it was stated that in this way they are trying to “protect children from the Internet”, which is especially important “during a special operation.”
Every school week for all students from grades 1 to 11 will begin with a lesson on propaganda. The Alliance of Teachers urges parents to massively complain to school principals and the Ministry of Education about the “Conversations about the Important”, and teachers to refuse to conduct special lessons, defending the freedom to choose an educational program.
