A significant call to action has emerged from the Domestic Software Association, a prominent collective representing over 300 Russian IT companies. The association is advocating for a ban on Microsoft’s Windows operating system during school examinations, highlighting a potential conflict with the recent prohibition of foreign software in government institutions.
Concerns Over Compliance with Presidential Decree
In a formal letter addressed to the Digital Development Ministry, the Education Ministry, and the federal education watchdog Rosobrnadzor, the association expressed its discontent with a recent directive from Rosobrnadzor. This directive mandates that the Unified State Exam, a critical assessment for university admission, be conducted solely on the Windows platform. The developers contend that this requirement contradicts a presidential decree set to take effect in January 2025, which bans the use of foreign software by government entities and their contractors.
The association is championing the adoption of homegrown operating systems, such as Astra Linux, RED OS, ALT Linux, and ROSA OS, as viable alternatives. Furthermore, they are urging a revision of Russia’s official exam preparation guidelines to incorporate the use of domestic office software suites like R7-Office and MyOffice.
Shifting Towards Domestic Solutions
This push for domestic software solutions aligns with new federal regulations introduced earlier this year, which impose restrictions on the procurement of foreign software while providing financial incentives for the adoption of Russian-made alternatives. A forthcoming law, effective September 1, will further tighten these controls, stipulating that only software registered with the Digital Development Ministry can be utilized in critical national infrastructure, including the educational sector.
The initiative to replace foreign software in Russian schools commenced in 2023, following the withdrawal of licensing support from major U.S. tech firms like Microsoft amid ongoing Western sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine. In September of that year, Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov proclaimed that all Russian schools had successfully transitioned to domestic software.
Progress and Challenges Ahead
However, the reality of this transition appears to be more complex. Anastasia Gorelova, who leads the education committee at the Association of Software Developers, noted in August 2024 that only about 60% of schools and universities had effectively made the switch to domestic solutions. Olga Chernyadyeva, head of educational programs at Russian software company ASCON, emphasized that achieving a complete transition across all educational institutions will require several more years of effort.
