The religious affiliation should not be shown at school, Russians say. However, the introduction of school uniforms would be useful.
MOSCOW, November 8, 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning the conflict in a school of Stavropol region where schoolgirls were banned to wear hijabs while attending school classes, the attitudes of Russians towards this conflict, as well as towards the school uniform initiative.
Most of Russians are aware of the conflict between the director of Stavropol school and students who wanted to attend classes wearing hijabs (71%). Those who are informed most are respondents aged above 35 (32-33%), who have higher education diplomas (32%), and those who have minor children or grandchildren (34%). The number of those who knew for the first time about this incident is 28%. They are basically Russians with low level of education (48%), young respondents (45%) and those who do not have minor children and grandchildren in their families (34%).
Every second Russian believes that the religious affiliation should not be shown at school (53%). They are atheists (57%), Muscovites and St. Petersburgians (76%), and respondents of pre-retirement age (59%). The number of those who believe that there is nothing bad is 35%: mainly young respondents (43%), residents of million cities (44%) and Muslims (42%).
Eight in ten Russians support the school uniform initiative (77%): basically women (81%), Russians aged 45 and more (82- 83%), those who have minors in their families (82%). Every fifth Russian does not support the idea (18%). They are mostly young Russians (37%), men (22%), and those who do not have minors (21%).
Half of Russians shift the issue of school uniform on the state (54%). They are basically elderly respondents (65%). Rarer Russians say that this question should be solved by local authorities (14%), parents (10%) or school directors (8%).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on October 27-28, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
The director of a school in Stavropol region banned Muslim schoolgirls to wear hijabs while attending school lessons. Do you personally know, have you heard, or do you hear about that for the first time about that? | |||
| Total respondents | Those who have minor children/grandchildren | Those who do not have minor children/grandchildren |
I am well aware about that | 28 | 34 | 22 |
I heard something about that but I do not know for sure | 43 | 44 | 43 |
I hear about that for the first time | 28 | 21 | 34 |
Hard to tell | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Some believe that there is nothing bad in showing religious affiliation at schools. Others say that Russia is a secular state, and such a behavior is not acceptable. What is your attitude? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| Total respondents | Orthodox | Muslim | Other religion | No belief |
I rather agree with the first opinion. There is nothing bad | 35 | 35 | 42 | 31 | 29 |
I rather agree with the second opinion. This behavior is unacceptable | 53 | 53 | 48 | 61 | 57 |
Hard to tell | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 14 |
The conflict in Stavropol school has revived discussions about school uniforms. In your opinion, should the school uniform be introduced, or not? (close-ended question, one answer, % of those who have minor children/grandchildren) | |||
| Total respondents | Those who have minor children/grandchildren | Those who do not have minor children/grandchildren |
Definitely, yes | 43 | 47 | 39 |
Rather yes | 34 | 35 | 34 |
Rather no | 14 | 12 | 16 |
Definitely no | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Hard to tell | 5 | 3 | 6 |
In your opinion, who should make decisions about school uniforms? | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18–24 | 25-34 | 35–44 | 45–59 | 60 and more |
The decision to introduce the school uniforms all over Russia should be made by federal authorities | 54 | 38 | 55 | 50 | 57 | 65 |
The decision should be made by regional or municipal authorities | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
The decision should be made by parents | 10 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 6 |
The decision should be made by the school director | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
No one; school uniforms should not be introduced | 8 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
Hard to tell | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!