Russia's Education Ministry has recommended that schools invite participants of the war in Ukraine, combat veterans, representatives of large families, and successful graduates to their September 1 ceremonies, state news agency TASS reported, citing the ministry's methodological recommendations.
This year, the ministry suggests paying special attention to events dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, recommending that schools invite representatives of different nationalities, public organizations, and national-cultural associations.
The ceremony program also includes raising the Russian flag and singing the national anthem. Schools are also advised to play songs that "reflect patriotic values," the unity of peoples, and respect for historical and cultural heritage. The school year at all educational institutions will begin with a "Conversations about What Matters" lesson.
According to The Moscow Times, raising the Russian flag and singing the anthem must be a mandatory part of Knowledge Day events. Schools are also instructed to play musical compositions "reflecting patriotic values" during the ceremonies.
Russian authorities have intensified propaganda in schools since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine. Since September 2023, schools have held "Conversations about What Matters" lessons, which discuss the war in Ukraine. These lessons feature participants of the aggression, including former convicts and PMC fighters.
According to calculations by iStories based on data from the government's annual education policy report, in 2025 more than 45,000 meetings with "SVO heroes" were held for schoolchildren and Russian college students. Excluding weekends, holidays, and summer vacations, that is about 250 meetings per school day.
Schools have also created more than 18,000 museums, exhibitions, and corners dedicated to the war in Ukraine, and held 70,000 meetings for 1.5 million parents on the topic "What to talk about with children in the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory."
After the start of the war, Vladimir Putin also ordered the creation of a "new pioneer movement," which was named "Movement of the First." According to government data, 11.7 million students have joined the movement, more than half of Russia's schoolchildren and college students, who numbered 21.7 million in 2025-26. By the end of 2025, Russia had opened 53,000 branches of the movement, of which 38,400 were in general education institutions.