Children in schools and kindergartens across Russia were allegedly compelled to participate in on-camera birthday wishes for President Vladimir Putin’s 72nd birthday on Monday, according to reports from independent media outlets.
The opposition Telegram channel Mozhem Obyasnit reported finding similar video tributes in at least 11 Russian regions, while the news website Vyorstka identified birthday messages posted by at least 30 schools on their social media pages.
“These coordinated displays raise serious concerns about the manipulation of children for political purposes,” said Dr. Mikhail Sokolov, an education policy expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences. “It’s a troubling example of how educational institutions are being used to cultivate loyalty to the state.”
In one instance, children at a school in the Rostov region were arranged to spell out “Putin” with their bodies. The school’s social media post declared, “We’re proud that the best president in the world rules over our country.”
The apparent forced participation extends beyond simple birthday wishes. At least one kindergarten in the Far East Primorye region reportedly held a lesson on the president’s role in government.
These birthday tributes come amid a broader trend of militarizing education in Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Putin recently urged educators to expand weekly “Important Conversations” classes, which focus on instilling patriotic values, to include kindergarteners.
Critics argue that such practices amount to political indoctrination of minors. “Forcing children to participate in political displays violates their rights and manipulates their developing understanding of civics,” said Elena Volkova, a child psychologist in Moscow.
themoscowtimes.com
