Russia Eases School Entry Rules for Certain Foreign Children
The Russian government is set to introduce changes to its education sector, aiming to streamline processes and reduce administrative hurdles. Proposed amendments to the 'Education' law will exempt certain children from the mandatory Russian language test, currently required for school entry.
From April 1, 2025, children of foreign nationals will need to pass a free Russian language test to gain school admission. However, the Ministry of Education and Science has proposed exemptions for specific groups. These include children of citizens from countries where Russian is a state language, children of participants in the state program for the resettlement of Russians abroad, and children of diplomatic representatives accredited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Schools and colleges will notify the ministry of the enrollment or dismissal of these exempted children.
Currently, only 12.6% of children pass the Russian language test, according to data from Rosobrnadzor. Children who fail the test must undergo additional Russian language training and can retake it no earlier than three months later. The proposed amendments aim to optimize the education sector and eliminate administrative barriers.
The proposed changes to the 'Education' law aim to simplify the school entry process for certain groups of children. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has also prepared a draft decree to register unenrolled migrant children, further indicating a focus on improving educational administration. The exemptions and streamlined processes are expected to benefit both students and educational institutions.
