ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- About a dozen opposition activists in St. Petersburg have held a protest to demand "the preservation of free education for children," RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
The activists, who described themselves as supporters of opposition politician Eduard Limonov, chained themselves to the iron railing outside the local Committee for Education. They distributed leaflets calling for the resignation of Education Minister Andrei Fursenko.
Police did not intervene. The activists later dispersed.
Last month, the Russian parliament adopted a new law allowing some state institutions, including secondary schools, to "engage in commercial activity."
Many in Russia fear that the law will allow state educational institutions to start charging schoolchildren's parents for tuition.
The activists, who described themselves as supporters of opposition politician Eduard Limonov, chained themselves to the iron railing outside the local Committee for Education. They distributed leaflets calling for the resignation of Education Minister Andrei Fursenko.
Police did not intervene. The activists later dispersed.
Last month, the Russian parliament adopted a new law allowing some state institutions, including secondary schools, to "engage in commercial activity."
Many in Russia fear that the law will allow state educational institutions to start charging schoolchildren's parents for tuition.