Faster, higher, stronger!

A physical education complex “Ready for Labor and Defense” is being introduced in Tomsk schools. Passing the GTO standards is mandatory for all schoolchildren. Only first-graders, as well as those exempt from physical education or those included in a special medical group, are exempt from exams.

“Children generally love to pass the standards. They love this competitive moment among themselves - who jumped further, who ran faster. But I can tell you that it is actually very difficult to pass the badge. The indicators that stand are not all children can do this,” Oksana Alyukina, head of physical education at the Eureka-Development Secondary School, told Rush Hour reporters.

According to the standards of the complex, Tomsk schoolchildren must run, jump, bend over, do pull-ups, swim, throw a ball and a grenade at a target at a distance, shoot from an air rifle, walk and run on skis. Schoolchildren will be tested for tourist knowledge and skills: terrain orientation using a map and compass; setting up a tent; lighting a fire; choosing a way to overcome obstacles.

School students are not at all frightened by the new rules.

“I really like sports. You don’t have to think about it!” says 5th grader Yulia Gerina.