Russian Schools to Cut Core Subjects for New “Spiritual and Moral Culture” Class

Starting September 1, 2026, Russian schools will introduce a new mandatory subject: Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia. The course, to be taught by history teachers in grades 5 through 7, will be added by reducing the number of hours allocated to other subjects, according to a government announcement.

The curriculum is being developed by the Moscow State Pedagogical University in collaboration with the Russian Orthodox Church. Among those involved is Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov of Simferopol and Crimea, often referred to as “Putin’s spiritual advisor.”

“This will be one of the key worldview-shaping courses,” said university rector Alexey Lubkov.

According to Lubkov, the course will focus on the spiritual and moral values of Russian civilization, taught through stories of historical figures, their biographies, and heroic deeds.

An earlier subject — Fundamentals of Spiritual and Moral Culture of the Peoples of Russia — was slated for cancellation in 2025, to be merged into a regional history class. But the plan was blocked by Patriarch Kirill himself. Instead of being cut, the course was expanded and made mandatory for all students.