Drone control will appear in the GTO program

A new type of test, drone control (UAV), will be added to the norms of the GTO complex. This was announced on May 19 by Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev at the All-Russian Congress of Physical Education Teachers in the Tula region.

"Since this year, we have been testing a new type of testing in the TRP — these are unmanned aerial vehicles. Starting this year, we have been testing and testing their control in the 75 mm class — small drones. They will need to be managed, and our people will have the opportunity to receive a badge for this "Ready for Work and Defense" test. Starting next year, all over the country," he said.

The congress brought together more than 600 teachers from 86 regions of the country. About 20 sports venues have been organized for them, ranging from classical disciplines (judo and basketball) before esports, Alexander Orlov, a correspondent for Izvestia, said. The main objective of the event is to share experiences. Experienced teachers and young educators met here.

"Based on your own experience, you gradually understand how to behave, how to treat children: with whom to be stricter, with whom to be gentle. That's why, probably, everything comes with experience," explained Igor Yarmolenko, a physical education teacher.

The congress also discussed the preparation of the first textbook on physical education. The Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov, in a conversation with Izvestia, noted that it would include all the best resources and developments.

"It will include all the best knowledge base and best practices available in our subject, including the experience of working with students from the federations. This textbook is designed to give children the opportunity to try themselves in many sports," the head of the Ministry of Education emphasized.

He shared his memories of his sporting past: over the years, the minister was involved in badminton, wrestling, volleyball, basketball, karate, table tennis and hockey.

Separately, the congress raised a personnel issue — there are not enough physical education teachers in the regions. Since 2026, the Zemsky Trainer program has been launched in the country, with the help of which it is planned to attract almost 3 thousand specialists to rural sports schools.

Two—time Olympic champion swimmer Evgeny Rylov is among the participants of the congress. He conducted exercises for the participants, and also shared how his coach influenced the athlete's career.

"The last physical education teacher was already my coach directly. <...> I've been with him since I was 13 years old and reached the Olympic Games, so I can list what investments he made. Somewhere on the father's level, I think, because I went through it with him... I'm 29 years old, so I can count it as 16 years old," the swimmer shared with Izvestia.

In addition, the event was attended by three-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Hero of Russia, Senator Alexander Karelin. He emphasized the role of modern educators in maintaining children's health and developing physical skills.

"Maintaining health, developing physical skills, and navigating the diverse world of physical activities. And all this applies to one person, a physical education teacher," Karelin said.

The head of the executive committee of the Popular Front, Mikhail Kuznetsov, proposed in November last year to include an exercise in drone control in the norms of the physical education and sports complex of the TRP. According to him, UAVs are becoming an important phenomenon in our lives and arouse great interest among young people. Later, in December, the possibility of including drone control in the TRP standards was indicated in the list of instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin.