Reduced Chechen language instruction hours in schools are now five times less, as per the directive in Chechnya.

In a move that has sparked controversy, the Chechen Minister of Education and Science, Khozh-Baudi Daaev, announced a reduction in the number of hours allocated to the study of the Chechen language and literature in Chechen schools.

According to reports, the reduction is from five lessons per week to one hour, which will be held as an optional extracurricular activity. This decision is linked to changes in federal regulations governing the school curriculum.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, has previously emphasized the importance of preserving the Chechen language. He described it as the main language of communication that should be used in Chechen families. In 2021, he signed a new version of the language law, moving Russian to second place after Chechen.

However, in November 2022, Ramzan Kadyrov described the Chechen language as being part of a group of endangered languages. This statement came after the Russian Education Ministry reduced the school workload for pupils at the expense of the Chechen language subject.

The reduction in the number of teaching hours for the Chechen language and literature in Chechen schools is a contentious issue. Khozh-Baudi Daaev, in a statement on his Telegram channel, claimed that special attention was paid to the study of the native language when redistributing hours in the school timetable.

It is important to note that the Chechen language is spoken mainly in Chechnya, as well as in the Khasavyurt and Novolak districts of Daghestan, in Ingushetia, and in a number of countries abroad, including Georgia, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan. According to the Russian Education Ministry, Chechen is one of the most spoken among Russia's indigenous peoples, with over two million speakers as of 2021.

The reduction in the school workload for pupils was part of the amendments to the law on education adopted by the Russian Parliament in July 2018. Under the new requirements, the overall number of hours has been redistributed across the board, which impacts Chechen language lessons.

Despite the reduction in teaching hours, Ramzan Kadyrov has consistently stressed the importance of preserving the Chechen language. He stated that a true patriot would never abandon the language of their ancestors, and it is impossible to consider someone a Chechen if they submit an application to refuse to study their native language.

However, the current head of the Ministry of Education and Science in Chechnya who made this decision remains unidentified. There is no available information about this individual in the current search results.

The future of the Chechen language in Chechnya schools remains uncertain, with the reduction in teaching hours causing concern among many. The preservation and promotion of indigenous languages are crucial for maintaining cultural diversity and identity, and this decision has sparked debate about the value placed on the Chechen language in Chechnya.

Reduced Chechen language instruction hours in schools are now five times less, as per the directive in Chechnya.