Education of Migrant Children in Russian Schools: New Requirements

Starting April 1, 2025, new rules came into effect in Russia regarding the education of children of foreign citizens in public schools. These changes are aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring better social integration of children from other countries. Let’s go over the main updates and key features of migrant children’s education in Russian schools.

Why Were the New Rules Introduced?

In the previous school year, more than 200,000 migrant children studied in Russian schools. Many of them struggled due to limited knowledge of Russian, which hindered both learning and communication with teachers. To address this, the government made it mandatory to pass a Russian language test before enrollment. This ensures that the child will be able to study successfully and adapt.

New Admission Requirements

To enroll a child who has come from another country into a Russian school, several conditions are now mandatory:

1. Parents must provide documents confirming the child’s legal stay in Russia. This can be a residence permit, a temporary residence permit, or a visa with a migration card.
2. The child must pass a free Russian language test. The minimum passing score is 3 out of 5.
3. The application for admission can be submitted in person, through the “Gosuslugi” portal, or by registered mail.
4. All documents must be in Russian or have an official certified translation.

When applying for admission, parents must provide:

• Copies of documents confirming the applicant’s relationship to the child (or legal authority);
• Copies of documents identifying the child;
• Copies of documents confirming the child’s legal stay in Russia;
• Copies of documents confirming the child’s fingerprint registration;
• A medical certificate confirming the absence of infectious diseases;
• Copies of documents confirming prior Russian language study (if available);
• Copies of SNILS of the parent and the child (if available);
• Copies of documents confirming the parent’s employment (if available).

How Does Testing Work?

The test checks how well the child understands and can use Russian for learning. If the child does not reach the required score, they cannot be admitted until their knowledge improves. This is meant to ensure equal learning opportunities with other students.

Testing is free in public schools and can last up to 80 minutes. It includes:

• Oral part — answering simple questions, describing pictures;
• Written part — grammar and spelling tasks.

First graders only take the oral test. The minimum passing score is 3 out of 5.

Important to Know:

• Retesting is allowed, but no sooner than 3 months after the first attempt if the child did not pass;
• Children attend regular classes but may receive individual support;
• Enrollment may be denied if the school has no available spots.

Support for Adaptation

Schools organize additional Russian language lessons and introduce children to Russian culture. For example, in the Orenburg region, “Russian Lessons” are held in a game-based format, while in Voronezh, children are taken on museum tours. Parents can also receive free consultations on education matters.

What Does This Change for Migrant Families?

Parents of foreign children now need to prepare in advance: teach their child Russian, collect the necessary documents, and be ready for testing. This helps children adapt more smoothly and succeed academically. It’s important to note that these requirements apply to all foreign children, including those without citizenship.

Legality and Control

Schools are also required to verify the legal stay of the child and their parents in Russia through official registries. If a family is included in the register of controlled persons, the child will not be admitted. This measure is designed for safety and order.

Possible Risks

A child may be expelled in the following cases:

• Illegal stay in Russia;
• No legal representatives in the country;
• Violation of school rules;
• At the request of the child’s legal representatives.

Prospects and Discussions

There are ongoing public discussions about introducing tuition fees for migrant children in higher grades, but these initiatives have not been adopted yet. The Ministry of Education recommends monitoring the adaptation process of migrant children to maintain a safe and comfortable school environment.

Sources:

• Federal Law on Education in the Russian Federation
• Order of the Ministry of Education No.171 of 03/04/2025
• Order of the Ministry of Education No.170 of 03/04/2025