Systemic propaganda in Russian education frames invasion as patriotism, obscuring conflict's roots
Original framing: “Russia's school propaganda was highlighted by Oscar-winning film - but does it work?” — BBC News - World
The voices of Ukrainian educators, students, and displaced youth are largely absent from the narrative, despite their lived experience of the conflict and its ideological framing. Their perspectives are critical to understanding the human cost of state propaganda.
The use of education as a tool for ideological control in Russia is part of a broader global pattern where state narratives are embedded in school systems to legitimize political actions.
This is not unique to Russia but reflects deep historical precedents in authoritarian and democratic states alike. The marginalization of Ukrainian voices and the absence of cross-cultural comparison in mainstream coverage obscure the systemic nature of this phenomenon. By integrating critical media literacy, supporting independent education, and amplifying youth voices, we can begin to address the root causes of conflict and build more resilient, informed societies.