September 1 sees the postponement of backpack distribution for first-graders in Omsk.
In a surprising turn of events, the Omsk region has announced the cancellation of its annual backpack distribution action for first-graders this year. The decision, made by the regional government, has left many parents in a state of uncertainty, especially those who had already purchased school supplies for their children.
The backpacks, which were usually purchased from a company in Ivanovo for around 5,000 rubles each, have been a staple of the region's educational initiatives for several years. Last year, approximately 25 million rubles were spent on this action, according to regional records.
However, the exact number of first-graders who would have received backpacks this year remains undisclosed. Some parents have expressed mixed reactions to the backpacks distributed last year, while others have found similar backpacks on online platforms like AliExpress for as low as 500 rubles.
The cancellation of the backpack distribution action does not imply a change in the government's support for educational initiatives. The region continues to run the social action "Family Helps Family," which gathers school supplies for children from low-income and socially disadvantaged families.
When asked about the decision, the press secretary of the governor, Mina Akhverdiyeva, confirmed that the backpack distribution action is not scheduled for this year. No specific reason for the cancellation has been given, and it remains unclear if the funds allocated for this action will be redirected to other initiatives.
Parents in the Omsk region are advised to keep an eye on local government announcements and current news sources for updates regarding this matter. The region's educational initiatives continue to prioritise the well-being and success of its students, and it is hoped that this decision is a temporary one.
The backpacks, traditionally a part of the Omsk region's educational initiatives over the years, have been instrumental in providing supplies to first-graders. Despite the cancellation of the annual backpack distribution action, the region's commitment to education-and-self-development persists through the "Family Helps Family" social action.
