Special classes on drones are planned to open in schools and colleges in Tuva.
The Republic of Tyva plans to create a network of specialized classes and clubs to teach schoolchildren and students how to operate drones. This new educational initiative will allow the region to qualify for federal funding.
Federal subsidies and the BAS scientific and educational cluster
The regional ministries of education and economic development have been officially tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to create a network of specialized classes and clubs. This will allow the region to fully qualify for significant federal funding under the large-scale national project "Unmanned Aircraft Systems."
Furthermore, a full-fledged UAS research and education cluster is planned for Tyva. It will unite the region's leading scientific and educational organizations. The project's main goal is to centrally train specialized personnel within the republic. Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Sazan-ool has already commented on the government's initiative.
"This is a response to the needs of the times. We are building a talent pool for Tuva's digital transformation. Our students will gain world-class competencies, making them in demand both within the republic and abroad."
Context: Militarization of education and drone training from kindergarten
Therefore, the Tuvan authorities' initiative fits into a nationwide trend. Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russian schools, colleges, and universities have rapidly and en masse joined the accelerated training of future military personnel. We've included this context from previous "NeMoskva" publications to illustrate the overall picture across the country.
For example, last fall, the country's first specialized children's drone school, meaningfully named "Goodness and Heaven," was officially opened in Krasnodar. Meanwhile, in the spring, students at a regular Belgorod kindergarten were given a full-fledged practical lesson in drone control—at the time, local officials called it "early career guidance" for preschoolers.
As a result, similar programs are being implemented in higher education. Tomsk State University has traditionally hosted large-scale competitions in unmanned platform control, with students in grades 8–11 actively participating.
