The Human Rights Commissioner of Russia's Sverdlovsk region, Tatyana Merzlyakova, has proposed making Russian language education free for migrant children. Currently, such classes are typically paid for by parents.

According to her, the initiative is not only about supporting immigrant families but also about a broader goal: preserving and promoting the Russian language. "I am in favor of teaching children Russian for free," she stated on a regional TV channel.

Merzlyakova emphasized that Russia itself limits the language's influence by reducing opportunities for its spread abroad. She believes that in the current conditions, it is important to strengthen the position of the Russian language, not weaken it.

The ombudsman also highlighted trends in former Soviet states. Even where Russian traditionally held a strong position, young people are increasingly choosing to study in English. "Today, young people are oriented toward education abroad—from Japan to Europe. We should not worsen the situation ourselves," she noted.

The proposal has sparked debate: supporters see it as a step toward better integration of migrant children, while critics view it as an additional burden on the budget. Earlier, over 35% of migrants failed the Russian language, history, and legislation exam on their first attempt.

Source: podrobno.uz