The Federation Council called for checking schools due to forcing teachers to repair

Senator, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Airat Gibatdinov on August 24 appealed to the head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Education and Science Anzor Musayev with a request to check reports of teachers being forced to repair work in Russian schools.

The reason for the discussion was the story of a 54-year-old teacher who stated that the school management demanded that she paint her office before the new school year and offered to resign after refusing. As follows from the Izvestia material, cases of involving teachers in repairs, cleaning and other household chores occur in different regions, while teachers may face pressure from the administration.

According to Gibatdinov, teachers may be forced to repair the classrooms and common areas assigned to them at their own expense under threat of dismissal or reduction of incentive payments. In his address to Musayev, he pointed out that before the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, the media receives reports from teachers and parents from different regions about cases of involving school staff in technical modernization and cosmetic repairs. We are talking, in particular, about painting walls and repairing flooring.

"The story that a 54-year-old teacher is being forced to make repairs under threats is wild. As long as such cases continue to occur, it will not be possible to restore the prestige of the teaching profession. Teachers are not servants or slaves. And if the leadership of a particular school does not understand this, it is not in its place," Gibatdinov said.

The senator referred to Article 60 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, according to which an employer does not have the right to require an employee to perform work not provided for in an employment contract. Additional duties may be assigned only with the written consent of the employee and subject to appropriate payment.

According to Gibatdinov, pressure from the administration may force teachers to accept additional work without compensation for the time spent and their own funds. The senator believes that such practices can lead to violations of workers' labor rights and the provisions of the Law on Education in the Russian Federation.

"In addition, if a particular school has not received money for repairs, the question "where is the money?" should be asked by the director to the local administration, the regional Ministry of Education, to seek funds, and not to try to solve problems at the expense of teachers who do their job well and honestly, trying to teach children to be good and literate people," — the senator noted.

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Gibatdinov suggested conducting a comprehensive review of compliance with labor laws by school leaders and administrative staff before the start of the new school year. In particular, it is proposed to establish whether teachers are involved in additional work without making appropriate agreements and compensating for material and time costs.

If the facts of coercion are confirmed, the senator considers it advisable to temporarily suspend the relevant officials from their duties for the period of verification in order to exclude the possibility of pressure on employees. In addition, he asked Rosobrnadzor to inform the agency's position on the possible tightening of disciplinary and administrative liability under Article 5.27 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation for heads of educational institutions who force employees to additional unpaid work or dismissal.

Lawyer Timur Marshani said on August 16 that parents of schoolchildren are not required to pay for repairs, furniture, appliances and other household expenses of an educational institution. According to him, such fees can only be voluntary, and refusal to participate in them should not affect the attitude towards the child, his grades or admission to classes. The lawyer explained that the provision of the educational process, including the maintenance of premises, equipment of classrooms and household expenses, is one of the responsibilities of the educational organization. Therefore, the purchase of furniture, appliances, curtains, repairs or other similar expenses cannot be required from parents as mandatory payments.