Discussions continue in Russia over an experimental change to the administration of the main state exam (OGE) for ninth‑grade students. Initially, the pilot project was set to involve 12 regions in 2025; however, the list may now be pared down to just three—the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, along with Lipetsk Oblast. Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the State Duma, explained that not all regions meet the government’s readiness criteria.
The proposal, which is due for third reading at a plenary session of the Duma on 18 March (with the possibility of reverting to a second reading for adjustments), seeks to simplify the process for obtaining a basic secondary education certificate for students planning to enter vocational colleges. Under the experiment, ninth‑grade graduates aiming for technical or vocational education would only need to sit two mandatory exams—Russian language and mathematics—instead of the usual four. Those continuing to tenth grade will continue with the current format: two obligatory subjects plus two electives. This approach is intended to bolster secondary vocational education and address the shortage of skilled workers in various regions.
Originally, the experiment was set to involve 12 regions, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, the Kemerovo, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov, Saratov and Tyumen Oblasts, as well as the Krasnodar and Kamchatka Krais, the Republic of North Ossetia (Alania) and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. However, as Volodin noted, only those regions that fully meet government criteria—Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Lipetsk Oblast—are likely to participate.
The pilot will provide valuable insights into the efficacy and viability of the proposed changes, which aim to streamline the certificate‐issuing process for students opting for vocational education, while also stimulating interest in in-demand professions.
Among the anticipated benefits is the provision for ninth‑grade graduates who have not achieved the minimum scores required for entry into the tenth grade to secure state-funded places in vocational colleges. This is particularly important in regions experiencing a deficit of skilled workers. Regional authorities will also have the flexibility to set minimum passing scores for the core subjects, ensuring that a greater number of students can obtain their certificates. In addition, local governments may allocate extra budget places in vocational institutions for local residents, helping to curb workforce outflows and boost regional economies.
The Russian government backs this initiative, recognising its potential to enhance secondary vocational education. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko has remarked that the experiment will help resolve the skilled labour shortage and offer students the opportunity to gain qualifications in high-demand fields. Educational regulators have also voiced their support, emphasising the project’s potential to improve the quality of education and better prepare specialists for the regional economy. As Vice Speaker of the State Duma, Victoria Abramchenko, pointed out, parents can be assured that their children will receive training in professions with strong employment prospects.
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