What's happened
Russia's Sport Ministry has awarded a contract to develop an app that assesses students' adherence to traditional values, including patriotism and ethics. The initiative aligns with Kremlin efforts to promote 'traditional values' and raises concerns about ideological monitoring in education.
What's behind the headline?
The Russian government's push for values-based student assessments signals a broader effort to embed ideological conformity within education. The app's ability to profile students on categories like patriotism and ethics suggests potential for misuse, including monitoring and controlling youth behavior. This move fits into Kremlin strategies to reinforce state ideology amid ongoing tensions with Western norms. The rapid development timeline and limited transparency raise questions about the app's deployment and scope. If scaled nationwide, it could deepen state influence over personal beliefs and moral standards, potentially stifling dissent and diversity of thought among youth. The focus on 'traditional values' also underscores Russia's rejection of liberal norms, positioning education as a tool for ideological reinforcement rather than fostering critical thinking.
What the papers say
The Moscow Times reports that the Russian Sport Ministry awarded a contract to Blue Cats Games to develop a student assessment app that scores categories like patriotism and ethics, with concerns about potential misuse for ideological monitoring. Meanwhile, The Guardian highlights that this initiative is part of Kremlin efforts to elevate 'traditional values' into state ideology, with President Putin emphasizing the importance of cultural and moral preservation. Both sources suggest that the app's development and deployment are closely tied to Russia's broader political agenda, aiming to reinforce national identity and control over youth perspectives. Critics question whether the app will be used solely for educational purposes or as a means of ideological surveillance, raising ethical and human rights concerns.
How we got here
Russia has been emphasizing 'traditional values' as part of its national identity, with President Putin signing a decree in 2022 to promote family, religion, and patriotism. The development of value-based assessments in education reflects this ideological shift, with recent projects targeting higher education and student behavior monitoring.
Go deeper
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