Priorities of social support for students from indigenous ethnic minorities of the North were outlined in Yamal

The intermediate results of implementation of the presidential instructions in the sphere of state national policy were summed up at the sitting of the government of Yamal.

Suggestions of the working group on improvement of measures on support for students from indigenous peoples of the North were presented by the Vice-Governor of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Irina Sokolova. Grigory Ledkov, a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the president of the Russian Association of indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East, took an active part in their development.

The head of the region Dmitry Artyukhov supported the suggestion to extend the existing social measures of social support for students living in towns of the region that are not classified as territories of traditional residence since 2021. The suggestion concerns such measures of support as payment of a social scholarship in the amount of 4.5 thousand rubles per month and compensation of accommodation expenses in a student hostel in the amount of 2 thousand rubles per month. As it should be reminded, the amount of these payments to intramural students was increased since the 1st of January of 2020, as the press service of the head of Yamal reports.

Dmitry Artyukhov also supported increase in compensation for education fees to extramural students from 30 to 50 thousand rubles. As it should be reminded, extramural students from indigenous ethnic minorities of the North receiving their first higher education were entitled to compensation for a year of study in the amount of up to 30 thousand rubles. Now the amount of compensation will increase up to 50 thousand rubles.

“The measure is in demand among students from indigenous ethnic minorities of the North. 119 students used it in 2019. All of them are employed according to the specialization, in which they receive education”, Irina Sokolova said.

One more innovation will touch upon postgraduates. At present time financial assistance is provided to them in the amount of one subsistence minimum or the three times amount if a postgraduate has the low-income status.

Now future indigenous scientists will be able to apply for grants in the amount of 100 thousand rubles per year. According to the developers, this measure of support will encourage postgraduates to pay more attention to publication of their works, participation in scientific conferences, ethnographic expeditions for collection of materials and preparation for the defense of scientific work.

In the conversation Dmitry Artyukhov and Grigory Ledkov agreed that development of social support for students is a timely step.

Dmitry Artyukhov also asked Grigory Ledkov to “keep his finger on the pulse” on the federal issue of funding two hundred places to study at the Russian Herzen State Pedagogical University in Saint Petersburg for indigenous students.

As it should be noted, Grigory Ledkov raised the issue on development of the system on support of education of indigenous students in Russia last November at the sitting of the Council on interethnic relations headed by President Vladimir Putin.

“As for restoration of the historical justice – introduction of places for students at the University of Herzen, both the elders and young teachers are filled with enthusiasm. It is impossible to stop teaching native languages, it needs to educate own teachers”, Grigory Ledkov said at the sitting of the government of Yamal.

“All of us, indigenous peoples of Yamal, highly appreciate the comprehensive approach of the government of the region aimed at improvement of life: increase in payments to nomads, increase in the purchase price for reindeer meat. Even scientists confirm that this is also a contribution to development of native language. While a reindeer herder travels in tundra with reindeer, and a fisherman stands on the shore, our traditions are alive”, Grigory Ledkov said.