Those not authorized to bring the certification to school, as per the announcement from the Ministry
In a recent development, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have addressed concerns about additional health certificate requirements for students, particularly those joining specialized classes such as physical education or military classes.
According to Dmitry Lazarev, head of the maternal and child health department at the Ministry of Health, such additional demands for health certificates are not necessary and are being addressed to ensure they are not imposed on parents. Lazarev emphasized that this practice is incorrect.
For students starting first grade, the Ministry of Education has clarified that a medical certificate must be obtained before the start of the academic year. However, for students who received a medical certificate in the month of their birthday during the current year, no further medical check-ups are required before September 1st of the next year. This means that a student who received a certificate in November 2024, for example, would not need to visit doctors again before September 1st, 2025.
The policy does not clarify if it applies to private schools or only public schools. It also remains unclear if the policy applies to students who are already enrolled in specialized classes and are being asked for additional certificates.
In case a student's health certificate is lost, it can be reissued based on the records of the medical check-up. The medical certificate for a student is valid for the entire calendar year from the date of issue.
Annual medical check-ups for students are usually conducted in the month of their birthday. The Ministry of Education has also emphasized that not all students need to obtain a health certificate by September 1st.
The Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Education to ensure that students are not burdened with unnecessary health certificate requirements, and that all policies are clear and fair.
The Ministry of Health is also considering collaboration with health-and-wellness institutions to develop mental-health resources for students, aiming to support their overall well-being and academic success. In scientific research, it has been suggested that addressing mental health concerns from an early age contributes significantly to the long-term mental health of individuals.
