Press Release, 28.02.2024

Photo: Emilia Slabunova / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

“I categorically object to the plans of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation to abolish the social studies course for grades 6-8 at the level of basic general education and leave only one hour for its study in grade 9!” Emilia Slabunova, deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia and honoured teacher of Russia, wrote in her blog post.

Slabunova notes that social studies is one of the most interesting subjects for teenagers, which is confirmed by the fact that this is the most popular exam of their choice. Children realise that  knowledge of modern trends in the development of society, understanding of social processes, the activities of social institutions and the entire social structure is important for a successful life in a rapidly changing world.

“I know this first hand, because I have been teaching children social studies for many years in an in-depth course at the Lyceum. If for humanitarian classes its in-depth study (six hours a week) was mandatory according to the profile curriculum, then in other profiles only a basic course (two hours a week) is provided. But every year, 25-30 students from these other profiles choose an in-depth social studies course. Some students needed it to pass the Unified State Exam, but for the most part it was just out of interest. From the physics and mathematics classes, sometimes there were 15-17 people, and to my question about why, in addition to eight hours of advanced mathematics and six hours of physics, they took such an additional load – six hours of social studies, the answer was always – “it is interesting!”,” Emilia Slabunova writes.

She also notes that a society interested in developing and increasing its competitiveness, teaching teenagers the basics of social science, social psychology, philosophy, political science, law and the fundamentals of economics is extremely important for their successful socialisation, the development of social intelligence and ensuring social health. The absence of this course in the school curriculum will contribute to maladaptation, deviant behaviour, neuroticism and infantilisation of young people.

Also the abolishing of the course is contrary to the “Strategy for the development of education in the Russian Federation for the period until 2025”, its goals and objectives.

According to Slabunova, “the reasons for the proposed changes are clear – it is easier to control those who have little understanding of the social structure and ongoing developments. The study of modern technologies, which has been talked about a lot, without a fundamental mastery of the social and human sciences, is prone of great risks for the future”.

“The archaisation of Russian education and the unwillingness to defend the sphere from endless opportunistic “initiatives” have become a distinctive feature of the leadership by the current Minister of Education.

For such proposals that are destructive to the quality of education for teenagers, I consider it necessary to demand the resignation of the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergei Kravtsov!” Slabunova writes.

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EMILIA SLABUNOVA

is member of the Federal Political Committee of the Yabloko party, Chair of Yabloko in 2015-2019.

Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia.

Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Honoured Teacher of Russia