At least 100 Russian kindergartens introduce propaganda lessons in single week

Over 100 kindergartens across Russia have already rolled out the so-called Important Conversations propaganda programme to preschoolers in the past week, following Vladimir Putin’s public call for them to do so earlier this month, independent media outlet 7x7 reported on Monday.

Speaking at an event for the finalists of the Teacher of the Year contest in Moscow on 3 October, Putin urged Russian educators to extend the classes, which until now have been aimed at schoolchildren, to kindergartens in order to “boost patriotism” and teach Russia’s “core values” to preschoolers.

Although it is unclear whether the lessons have formally become part of the kindergarten curriculum, Novaya Gazeta Europe estimates that at least 560 preschools have introduced the Important Conversations classes so far this academic year.

Now, every Monday before classes, the kindergartners in question will gather to raise the Russian flag and sing the national anthem, as is already compulsorily done in Russian schools, 7x7 reported.

The rollout appears to be another sign of the Kremlin’s determination to indoctrinate children of all ages with its propaganda narratives. Last week Novaya Europe calculated that at least one in three state-funded kindergartens in Russia have held war-themed events so far this year, with propaganda lessons held for children as young as three.

On Saturday, Russian State Duma Deputy Tatyana Butskaya went as far as to propose a nationwide government-funded initiative that would see all newborn babies be given a “patriotic” gift, including clothes bearing Russia’s flag and coat of arms. The gifts would ensure children were “Russian patriots from birth”, Butskaya argued, according to state news agency TASS, “It means that you were born in Russia, that Russia needs you, that you are important and loved from birth.”