Russian education ministry proposes additional tracks within specialist classes

Russia's Ministry of Education has prepared draft changes to the federal curriculum for grades 10 and 11. Schools would be able to create additional tracks within specialist classes and groups to reflect pupils' interests.

Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov said on October 11 that these could include physics and mathematics, chemistry and biology, and engineering and technology. The option is included in a draft order aligning the curriculum with the requirements of the upper-secondary education standard.

The ministry is also updating programmes for key subjects at basic and advanced levels. The draft includes examples of basic-level study plans, including plans that provide for the study of native languages.

The ministry said the order was intended to take effect on September 1, 2027. It would apply to admissions to upper-secondary programmes from the 2027/28 academic year. These remain proposed changes rather than rules already in force.