Code by code: computer science is offered to study from the fifth grade
Experts believe that it is necessary to study computer science in the digital age from an earlier age. It was proposed to add a separate module with the basics of programming, digital literacy and Internet security to the program of grades 5-6. At the same time, it will not be easy to take such a step: the development of IT education is hampered by a lack of qualified personnel, a high workload for teachers and a different level of equipment for schools in the regions. What changes are needed and how realistic it is to implement the initiative — in the material of Izvestia.
Basic knowledge
According to the current federal general education program, students begin to study computer science from the 7th grade. The number of hours depends on the profile: at the basic level, one lesson per week is assumed — a total of 102 hours in three years. The advanced course has two classes, that is, 204 hours. Students learn digital literacy, programming languages, algorithm development, data processing, and other topics.
However, according to experts, this number of lessons is not enough for regular programming and working with data. At the same time, the advanced level is available only to a part of schoolchildren.
However, the basic acquaintance with computer science begins already in grades 5-6 — in other lessons. So, in mathematics, students learn the basics of logic, learn how to work with tables and diagrams, and in technology lessons they learn the basics of robotics, computer graphics and 3D modeling. These topics are fixed in the federal work program.
Artificial intelligence electives are emerging. Starting this academic year, a compulsory AI course is available in Moscow schools — it has been included in the schedule since 5th grade. The Ministry of Education has already announced that from the second quarter, the course "Artificial Intelligence and Information Security" will be included in the optional part of the program.
Early Computer Science
The ANO "Digital Economy" suggests in grades 5-6 to include a separate computer science module in the main lessons or electives, adding new topics to the existing ones: digital literacy, Internet security, logic, algorithms, working with data, as well as programming using blocks. The organization notes that this is not about a separate compulsory subject or an increase in school hours.
It is proposed to try out innovations in schools of different regions — in large cities with a good technical base and small towns and villages.
"The point is to understand how feasible this is in practice: whether there are enough trained teachers, equipment, and how the module fits into existing programs," explains Viktor Derevyanko, a junior analyst at Digital Economy.
According to experts, an in—depth study of computer science in the middle school will allow high school teachers to devote more time to programming and working with data, and students to make an informed career choice.
In the current age of digital technologies, it is necessary to teach children literacy and Internet safety from an earlier age, Viktor Derevyanko believes.
If the experiment is successful, then in the future, experts suggest increasing the number of computer science lessons in grades 7-9 to two.
The Ministry of Finance, in response to the initiative of the Autonomous Non-Governmental Organization "Digital Economy", sent to the agency back in July 2026 (Izvestia has it), reported that the materials were "taken into account." They also noted that it would be advisable to transfer them to the Ministry of Education.
Risks and difficulties
Among the main problems of IT education in schools are the lack of equipment, the gap in the equipment of educational institutions in different regions, the shortage of subject teachers and the high workload on them. This is evidenced by the results of a survey of regional ministries of education.
— The answers received from the regions show that the issue of studying computer science in grades 5-6 cannot be considered only as a change in the curriculum. The feasibility of such a solution depends on human, infrastructural and methodological support," the report says.
The teachers' union is skeptical about the proposal, believing that it will be difficult to implement it.
— The question is how to fit new topics and hours into the current curriculum, which is already overblown. If something additional is introduced, it increases the burden on children. In modern conditions, it is impossible to carry out serious educational reforms: there is a shortage of staff in schools, and there are not enough computer science teachers. We are already facing this now. With the current funding of schools and such salaries for teachers, any innovations are practically impossible," said Dmitry Kazakov, chairman of the trade union, a teacher of history and social studies.
However, the initiators of the reform themselves speak about the risks. However, they assume that new computer science modules in grades 5-6 will be able to be taught by any teacher who has been trained and knows digital technologies. The personnel issue is also planned to be solved by attracting students from pedagogical universities.
Nina Simonova, a teacher at the Moscow Pedagogical College, evaluates the idea more positively.
— You need to start studying computer science earlier, I would generally recommend introducing a propaedeutic course from the 1st grade. This is not only about computer literacy, but also about the formation and subsequent development of logical, critical and algorithmic thinking.
However, according to the teacher, it is necessary to introduce computer science as a new subject. Already, individual modules are included in other lessons — for example, computer literacy is studied within the framework of technology in elementary school. This approach, she believes, will not give the desired result.
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