Social studies in Russian schools will be reduced to three years.

Starting September 1, 2026, it will be taught in grades nine through eleven, announced Russian Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov. The development of new unified social studies textbooks for high school students has already been completed.

Previously, social studies instruction began in sixth grade. The transition to new curricula is gradually underway. For example, last year, the subject was limited to grades eight through eleven. 

Also, starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, schoolchildren will begin studying the subject "Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia."

As he notes in a conversation with “NotMoscow"A history and social studies teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, previously taught information on the fundamentals of economics, law, sociology, as well as the spiritual sphere of society—morality, science, religion, art, etc.—in a simplified, age-appropriate format in middle school.

“Now, only from the ninth grade onwards, students will receive (obviously, in a compressed format) basic knowledge in these areas that are crucial for everyday life, — says the teacher. 

"It's especially sad about economics—it was the main subject in the 8th grade. Children were introduced to the fundamentals of the market economy and entrepreneurship, learned about the causes of unemployment, and the fundamentals of family economics."The teacher suggests that social studies will now be viewed by students as an optional subject, as universities have already begun to stop taking into account Unified State Exam results in this subject, replacing it with history.

"Starting with the 2027-2028 academic year, history will likely be a mandatory Unified State Exam for university admission. While there are no approved documents yet, initiatives are being voiced from all sides." — says the interlocutor of "NeMoskva". — Against this backdrop, social studies will increasingly emphasize the study of so-called geopolitics, where Russia is treated as a civilizational state advocating for a just world order. The emphasis on program completion is also changing: these results should embody Russian spiritual and moral values ​​and promote patriotic education."