Propaganda in Russian schools prepares students to die for their country
The Russian government wants children to learn about patriotism from an early age. DW spoke to students in Siberia about their views on propaganda, the war in Ukraine and their future.
In the southern Siberian city of Novosibirsk, a textbook on patriotism has been distributed in several schools, prompting students to prepare for potential sacrifice in defense of the nation. According to anonymous students, the book portrays homosexuality as akin to pedophilia, links Disney cartoons to pornography, and portrays Russians as superior to Western nations.
It also criticizes European countries for their colonial past. The book does not address the cultures or religions of the indigenous peoples living within modern-day Russia. The content is intended to supplement patriotism lessons that have been part of the curriculum since 2022. The Kremlin's objective in disseminating this material is to cultivate a populace that is willing to die for their country.
The war in Ukraine is a central theme in the book, with the authors repeatedly asserting that dying for one's homeland is an honor. Students are also urged to view Russian military personnel who have fought in Ukraine as heroes. While some students dismiss the propaganda as trivial, others, like Alexei and Ilya, express deep concern about the impact of such teachings on the future generation.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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