University education for the widows of special operations casualties now funded without cost, as unveiled by DG
In Russia, a proposed law offering priority university admission to widows of military personnel who died during service or due to related injuries, disabilities, or illnesses is currently under consideration. This bill, introduced by Nina Ostanina, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, seeks to extend existing benefits for combatants and their children to include widows.
Starting from the 2025 academic year, widows of participants in the war against Ukraine would have the right to free higher education with priority admission over other candidates holding similar exam scores. This priority enrollment would apply to both bachelor’s and specialist degree programs, as well as vocational colleges, regardless of their State Final Attestation scores.
The initiative follows a meeting of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights and was developed in accordance with a decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued on January 14, 2024. The education will be funded by federal, regional, and local budget allocations within the set quota.
However, the government has recommended revisions to the draft law. The response did not specify any changes to the initiative regarding priority admission for widows, but it did not mention any alterations to the aim of the initiative either. The government's argument is that wives are not in a similar direct dependency on their husbands participating in the special operation.
It's worth noting that the right to free higher education is already available to the children of special operation participants. Widows of special operation participants will also have the right to study at university preparatory departments at the expense of the budget.
Nina Ostaniina, chairperson of the State Duma committee on the protection of the family, motherhood, and childhood (CPRF), testifies to the initiative. In late December 2024, she submitted a draft law proposing free first higher education for all wives of special operation participants within a separate quota. The aim is to increase the chances of enrolling in higher educational institutions and obtaining relevant specializations for widows of special operation participants.
The initiative is based on a federal law draft that proposes amendments to Article 71 of the "Education" law. However, the government's response did not mention any changes to the financial and economic justification of the initiative, nor to the funding of the education. The explanatory note states that the initiative was developed following a meeting of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights.
The current status of the proposed law in its first reading has not been determined. The government's response did not specify any timeline for revisions or further consideration of the bill.
[1] Source: TASS News Agency, "Russia to Offer Priority University Admission to Widows of Military Personnel", 15th February 2025.
- The proposed law, which seeks to provide priority university admission to widows of military personnel in Russia, also aims to promote personal growth and education-and-self-development for these widows, increasing their chances of enrolling in higher educational institutions and obtaining relevant specializations.
- Nina Ostaniina, chairperson of the State Duma committee on the protection of the family, motherhood, and childhood, emphasizes the importance of education-and-self-development in the form of free first higher education for all wives of special operation participants, highlighting its role in personal growth and future opportunities.
