Russian schools will introduce a new subject — "Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia."

      The Ministry of Education of Russia has prepared a draft order according to which a new subject — "Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia" (SMCR) — will be introduced into the school curriculum from the 2026/27 academic year. It will be compulsory for students in grades 5–7, the Ministry said on its website.

      The study of the subject is allocated:

      in 5th grade — 17 hours

      in 6th–7th grades — 34 hours per year each.

      The new course will become part of the federal educational program and is intended to shape pupils' worldview on the basis of traditional values. Key topics include the lives and deeds of outstanding state and public figures who played an important role in Russia's history.

      The decision to introduce the SMCR was made in implementation of a directive from the President of the Russian Federation.

      At the same time, the document provides for an optimization of the workload for foreign languages: in grades 5–7 they will now be allocated two hours per week. The Ministry of Education emphasized that the reduction in hours does not mean the subject is being canceled, but is aimed at balancing the curriculum. The basic level of foreign language proficiency is promised to be retained.

      For comparison: Biology and Geography are allocated one hour per week in grades 5–6.

      The draft order also contains technical changes — the removal of the term "subject area" from the programs, which corresponds to amendments already made to the Federal State Educational Standards (FGOS).