St. Petersburg school officials created new rules for foreign children entering local schools. The Education Committee requires these students to pass Russian language tests before enrollment. Officials posted this regulation on the government's legal website recently. The tests apply to all immigrant children except those from Belarus. Students can skip testing if they show papers proving they studied in Russian before.
The language checks come in two different levels—enough knowledge or not enough knowledge. First graders only need to pass speaking tests, while older kids must complete written work. Testing sessions last about 80 minutes at the maximum. Cameras record all test takers, and a special group handles any problems that come up during testing.
St. Petersburg ranks third among Russian regions for immigrant student numbers. According to education authorities, about 20,000 foreign children live in the city. Most residents oppose letting non-Russian speakers into schools. The policy creates a clear standard for school entry across the city. Testing aims to ensure students can understand classroom instruction.
The language checks come in two different levels—enough knowledge or not enough knowledge. First graders only need to pass speaking tests, while older kids must complete written work. Testing sessions last about 80 minutes at the maximum. Cameras record all test takers, and a special group handles any problems that come up during testing.
St. Petersburg ranks third among Russian regions for immigrant student numbers. According to education authorities, about 20,000 foreign children live in the city. Most residents oppose letting non-Russian speakers into schools. The policy creates a clear standard for school entry across the city. Testing aims to ensure students can understand classroom instruction.
