Russia's New School Subject Swaps Foreign Languages for Patriotic History
Russian schools are introducing a new subject called Russia—Our Homeland for fifth graders starting this September. The course will highlight national history and cultural values while reducing time spent on foreign languages. Regional figures, alongside well-known Russian heroes, will also feature in the lessons.
From September 1, pupils in their first year of secondary school will study Russia—Our Homeland as part of their weekly schedule. The lessons aim to present national history in a fresh way, focusing on shared moral and spiritual traditions. Students will learn about legendary figures such as Ilya Muromets, Alexander Pushkin, and Yuri Gagarin, as well as local heroes like Donduk-Dashi, a Kalmyk leader defeated by the Red Army in 1927.
The new subject replaces some foreign language hours, cutting them to just two per week for fifth graders from 2026. Middle school students will see similar reductions later. Schools specialising in languages, however, will keep their advanced programmes unchanged.
The course builds on the existing Foundations of Religious Cultures programme. While Donduk-Dashi has appeared in Kalmyk regional education since the Soviet era, his inclusion in Omsk's curriculum marks a broader effort to integrate local historical figures into nationwide teaching.
The changes will free up time for core subjects, except in language-focused schools. Fifth graders will now spend fewer hours on foreign languages while studying more Russian history and culture. The shift reflects a push to strengthen national identity through education.
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