Education Ministry in Russia lays down teacher workload criteria for primary schools
According to a report by RIA Novosti, the Russian Ministry of Education has announced new workload changes for primary school students starting from September 1, 2025. The new workload sets the instructional hours for students in grades 1-4, with a total of 2,966 to 3,305 hours over four academic years.
Weekly Instructional Hours
The new workload for first graders is 20 to 21 hours per week, while for second, third, and fourth graders, the instructional hours per week will range from 23 to 26 hours, depending on the chosen federal educational plan.
Daily Schedule and Subjects
Most Russian primary schools operate five days a week, with lessons generally lasting 35–45 minutes each. The curriculum for grades 1–4 is structured around core subjects such as Russian Language, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, as well as Physical Education, Arts, Music, and Technology.
Total Instructional Hours
The total instructional hours for students in grades 1-4 are dependent on the school week length (either five or six days). The minimum total instructional hours for students in grades 1-4, over four academic years, is 2,966 hours, while the maximum total instructional hours is 3,305 hours.
Variability and Federal Standards
While the exact breakdown can vary slightly by region and school, the federal standard sets the maximum weekly load. The new workload is based on the maximum permissible workload, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive education for students.
Consulting Official Sources
For the most precise and official breakdown, consult the Russian Ministry of Education’s current Federal State Educational Standard (FSES) documentation or the specific school’s curriculum, as regional adaptations and school-level decisions can affect the exact distribution.
This announcement marks a significant change in the Russian primary education system, setting new guidelines for instructional hours for students in grades 1-4 starting from September 2025.
- The new workload in education-and-self-development, as announced by the Russian Ministry of Education, includes weekly instructional hours for primary school students, with first graders having 20 to 21 hours per week, and second, third, and fourth graders ranging from 23 to 26 hours.
- Within general-news, the Russian primary school curriculum for grades 1-4, following this new workload, consists of core subjects such as Russian Language, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Physical Education, Arts, Music, and Technology, with lessons lasting 35–45 minutes each.
