January 22, 2026
Russia’s schools are introducing a grade for behavior — obedience and ideological conformity included
Beginning in 2026, Russian schoolchildren will be graded not only on their academic performance but also on their behavior. Officials say the new system is meant to reinforce discipline. But in conversations with the outlet Takie Dela, education experts warn that it revives a Soviet-era tool of control — one that could punish dissent, enforce ideological conformity, and make obedience a formal requirement of education. Meduza shares a summary of Takie Dela’s reporting.
TL;DR
- Russia will implement mandatory behavior grades for all schoolchildren starting September 1, 2026.
- The grades will assess discipline, social interaction, personal qualities, and classroom engagement.
- Officials claim the system aims to reinforce discipline, school rules, and traditional values.
- Critics compare the system to Soviet-era practices used for ideological control and dissent suppression.
- There are concerns the behavior grades could be integrated into a social scoring system.
- The original Soviet behavior grade system, introduced in 1944, had serious consequences, including barring students from exams.
- The proposal resurfaced after Russian President Vladimir Putin urged discussion of the idea.