Kathrine Frich
Russia began testing migrant children for Russian language skills on April 1, 2025.
Russia began testing migrant children for Russian language skills on April 1, 2025.
Harsh Words from Russian Lawmaker
A senior Russian lawmaker has proposed deporting migrant children who fail a newly introduced Russian language proficiency test.
Yaroslav Nilov, chair of the Duma’s Committee on Labor and Social Policy, made the comments on Thursday, suggesting that children who fail the test three times should be sent home to “wait for their parents.”
Only 27 Out of 1,762 Passed
According to Nilov, only 27 out of 1,762 children of migrants passed the test required to enter Russian schools.
The failures stemmed from a range of issues: lack of legal status, administrative errors, and most notably inability to pass the Russian language test introduced this April.
“Three Strikes and You’re Out”
Nilov proposed a strict three-attempt limit on the exam:
“Three times didn’t work? You go home, wait for your parents. End of story,” he said.
The suggestion has raised concerns over the harshness of such a policy toward children, some of whom may have few or no ties to their countries of origin.
Language Test Now Required for School Admission
Russia began testing migrant children for Russian language skills on April 1, 2025, as a prerequisite for school enrollment.
The move has been positioned by the government as a way to “ensure educational quality,” but critics say it risks marginalizing non-Russian-speaking families and children.
Migrant Children Drag Down Test Scores
Nilov justified the proposal by blaming migrant students for lower academic performance among Russian children.
“Teachers were spending too much time on those who are not capable of learning,” he claimed.
“As a result, our own children couldn’t pass national exams like the EGE and OGE.”
“This Whole Group Degrades Russian Education”
Nilov’s rhetoric took a sharper tone when he suggested that non-performing migrant students drag down the quality of Russian education overall:
“This whole group, incapable of learning, distracts teachers and lowers the overall level of our education system.”
The comment drew immediate reactions online, with critics accusing him of scapegoating vulnerable children.