Russia proposes to slash migrants’ free education, enforce tough deportation measures

Russia is moving to tighten migration rules by proposing to end free education for migrant teenagers in senior schools and introducing stricter deportation policies for families of those who break the law. 

A group of deputies from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), led by party leader Leonid Slutsky, is set to submit a bill to the State Duma aiming to abolish free education for foreign citizens and stateless persons in the senior grades (10–11) of Russian schools. The bill, which amends the existing law “On Education in the Russian Federation,” stipulates that migrants will only be able to attend these grades at their own expense, Caliber.Az reports via TASS.

According to the report, free education would remain available solely in exceptional cases, such as when mandated by international treaties or other federal laws.

Slutsky explained that several Russian regions, especially newly developed residential areas, are experiencing severe shortages of school places, estimating a current deficit of about 900,000 seats nationwide. He highlighted that "thousands of migrant children have overwhelmed educational institutions, particularly in the senior grades, which puts excessive pressure on teachers and lowers the overall quality of instruction."

Slutsky claims that many migrant students "underperform academically, slowing down the class pace and negatively affecting Russian students." He also raised concerns about migrant teenagers’ alleged tendencies toward "aggression and criminal behaviour." Slutsky emphasised that a significant amount of state funding is spent on "educating migrant children, effectively burdening Russian parents."

He argued that the proposed bill would ease budgetary and infrastructural pressures and reduce teacher workloads, thereby improving educational standards.

Meanwhile, Sergei Mironov, chairman of the "A Just Russia – For Truth" party, called for tougher measures against migrants who break the law, advocating for the deportation of entire families if any member violates legal regulations. Mironov stressed the importance of holding law-breaking migrants accountable to the fullest extent and argued that mandatory biometric controls for foreigners entering Russia are essential.

He noted that without such controls, individuals who violate laws could evade consequences by leaving the country, changing their identities, and re-entering Russia undetected.

By Sabina Mammadli