Russia: Putin signs controversial education law
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 December 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Putin signs controversial education law, 31 December 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/50ed345123.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 31, 2012
President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a controversial new law on education.
It guarantees education in the state language, which is Russian.
Under the law, which was signed December 31, the right to an education in the languages of Russia's ethnic minorities is officially recognized, but not completely guaranteed.
The law states that classes in non-Russian languages cannot be conducted to the detriment teaching in the Russian language.
It goes into effect on September 1, 2013.
When the draft of the law was under consideration in the Duma, it sparked protest rallies in several regions, including Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and Chuvashia.
Critics said it would accelerate the decline of indigenous languages.
The issue gained nationwide attention when some ethnic Russian residents in Tatarstan protested against the mandatory teaching of Tatar in the republic's Russian schools.
*CORRECTION: This article has been corrected to reflect the law's effect on indigenous languages in Russia.
Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
