June 1st — International Children's Day. We are accustomed to thinking about protection from war, hunger, and violence. But there is another threat: poor education. Children who are not taught to learn will suffer all their lives. Education is the most powerful shield. It protects from poverty, manipulation, and fear. But our educational system often does not provide this shield. Let's figure out how education protects children and what we can do on June 1st. Why Education is Protection An educated child can distinguish facts from fiction. This is protection from propaganda and fraud. The child knows their rights and is not afraid to say "no" to violence. They can find information about illness and help. They can learn, which means they can master a new profession if the old one becomes outdated. They have a higher income in adult life, reducing the risk of poverty. The higher the mother's level of education, the lower the child mortality rate. Education also reduces the risk of early marriage and teenage pregnancy. What's Wrong with Modern Education School often teaches rote learning rather than thinking. The Unified State Examination is training for tests. Children are afraid of mistakes (a mistake = a failing grade, not experience). Overload: 8 lessons, homework until night. No right to rest. Burnout already in 8th grade. Inequality: schools in cities and villages are like heaven and earth. Tutors for the rich, state support for the poor. Bureaucracy: teachers spend time on reports instead of on children. In 2026, problems with AI were added: children write essays through neural networks, not learning to think. Education for Children with Special Needs Inclusive education is protection. A child with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome has the right to learn in a regular class. But in Russia, inclusion is lagging: there are no tutors, no ramps, no trained teachers. Parents are forced to either send their child to a correctional school (often poor) or hire privat ... Read more