A rural town in northern Russia called Nikolsk is facing unprecedented cuts to its education system, with a decision to end upper-grade classes currently in the works. This reflects a broader, devastating trend: since 2000, Russia has lost almost 24,000 schools. As these schools close, the small settlements fighting to stay alive often disappear right along with them. Instead of supporting these communities, government officials have redirected spending toward their ongoing, so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine. This lack of support is especially frustrating for Nikolsk. The town has a couple of surviving businesses, including farms and a dairy plant, and has actually seen its population grow slightly, by about 100 residents, over the past 15 years. With even more development planned outside of town, government support for local schools is absolutely imperative for the survival of Russia's rural communities. Compounding the issue is a recent policy shift. Just last year, the Kremlin removed local self-governance, stripping villages of the ability to pass proposals that matter to their own residents. Moscow seems to be on a power trip, refusing to take any suggestions from locals even when holding town hall meetings. However, since April 9th, there have been hearings to challenge this decision.
Will Russia really continue to pull funding from its own schools just to fuel its ongoing conflict in Ukraine? Or are these local pressures the tipping point of the financial hardships Moscow is currently facing?
As Russia looks to slash budgets, a village fights to survive
This illustrates how constant expenditure on conflicts ends up undermining growth through poverty in areas such as education. As the school system is eliminated, there will be no more investment or labor in rural areas.
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