The Law on Educational Activities has entered into force
On June 1, amendments to the law on education concerning educational activities began to take effect in Russia. Among other things, they may affect game development courses and presentations at conferences.
Brief background
On November 18, 2020, a draft law on education was submitted to the State Duma for consideration. He introduced the term “educational activity” and defined who and under what conditions can engage in it. According to officials, with the help of the new law, they will be able to fight “negative foreign interference in the educational process” and inciting through education “social, racial, national or religious discord.”
The idea of the authorities caused a violent reaction in the scientific community. Officials were accused of using vague language and trying to impose censorship. A petition demanding that the law be revoked has collected over 248,000 signatures.
Nevertheless, on March 16, 2021, the State Duma adopted it, the Federation Council approved it on March 31, and President Vladimir Putin signed it on April 5.
On May 14, the Ministry of Education and Science promised to revise the text of the law. But now the portal with draft legal acts in the status of the document indicated the refusal to continue its development.
What is generally understood by enlightenment now?
Recall, according to the law, education is “an activity carried out outside of educational programs, which is associated with the dissemination of knowledge and experience, the formation of skills and abilities, as well as values and competencies for the intellectual, creative and professional development of a person.”
Based on the draft resolution published at the end of April, the definition includes, for example, lectures, master classes, discussions, thematic sites and many other “forms that ensure the achievement of educational goals.”
What will happen next?
The state will now be able to control educational activities. In order to do it, those who wish will have to sign a contract with an educational, scientific or cultural institution.
According to RIA Novosti, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin will monitor the enforcement of the law on education.
