Education at Risk: Are We Losing the Battle for Critical Thinking?

Independent thinking under pressure: Russia’s move against the International Baccalaureate (IB) shows how education, politics, and values collide in classrooms around the world.

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Speak Your Mind! 🎯 “Education Is Never Neutral: What Are We Teaching Our Children?” by Dejan Trpkovic

26–AUG–2025 |  On August 25, 2025, Russia’s Prosecutor General designated the International Baccalaureate (IB) as an “undesirable organization,” effectively banning it.

The prosecutor’s office claimed the IB had “adjusted” its curriculum after the invasion of Ukraine to reflect a “Russophobic stance,” including alleged calls for isolating Russia and “content discrediting the Russian army.” It also accused IB representatives of promoting “non-traditional values.” Although these accusations have been formally made, there is no independent confirmation of them. It should be noted that the IB organization previously condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and pledged support for students and educators affected by the war.

The IB, a nonprofit working with more than 5,000 schools in 150+ countries, is widely regarded as the gold standard for pre-university education. Its programs emphasize inquiry-based learning, intercultural understanding, and skills such as research, communication, and critical thinking.

Some critics, in this case Russian authorities, argue that these values are not neutral. But every education system carries an agenda: Russian schools stress patriotism, Chinese curricula focus on civic duties, while Western systems lean toward questioning authority and individual reasoning.

Education has long been a political battlefield, but the bigger question is how we want to bring up the next generation: teaching loyalty, or nurturing independent thinking? My view is clear: education that strengthens critical thinking and reasoning gives young people the best protection against manipulation – no matter the political system.

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Dejan Trpkovic
Managing Director, PRODIREKT
Founder of Verbalists Education & Language Network

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Speak Your Mind!

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Verbalists, a world-leading language network, is about connecting people to the power of languages and joy of journeys that inspire, surprise and entertain. Verbalists is a brand of Prodirekt, a US based education group, which is a certified, and often exclusive representative of prestigious schools and colleges in world renowned university centers.