As a tribute to what would have been the 100th birthday of Mikhail Kalashnikov Russia's Ministry of Education has released guidelines for schools to teach students how to assemble assault rifles.

Kalashnikov, known as the creator of the eponymous assault rifle, often known as the AK-47, is seen as a national hero in the country.

The lessons are intended to "foster patriotism, help school children form a Russian identity, and allow them to understand the value of defending their fatherland," according to online newspaper Meduza.

The lessons include everything from reading books written by Kalashnikov to comparing his well-known rifles with American M-16s. In some schools, students will learn to assemble and disassemble the Russian assault rifle at speed.

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Schools in Russia will begin teaching students how to assemble AK-47 assault rifles, an activity planned as a tribute to what would have been the 100th birthday of Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the weapon.

Russia's Education Ministry published a set of methodological guidelines on Tuesday that called for nationwide lessons on the AK-47, claiming that the classes will "foster patriotism, help schoolchildren form a Russian identity, and allow them to understand the value of defending their fatherland," according to online newspaper Meduza.

The lessons can take on different formats, depending on the school's resources, the manual states. These include everything from reading books written by Kalashnikov to comparing his well-known rifles with American weapons, like the M-16.

In some schools, students will also learn how to assemble and disassemble the Russian assault rifle at speed.

Pupils in their final two years of school will also discuss Kalashnikov's letter to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2012, in which he expressed his regret, saying he "feared he was to blame" for all deaths linked to the AK-47.

The manual also states that "more people have been killed by the Kalashnikov than by artillery fire, air raids and rocket fire combined. Every year, a quarter of a million people die as a result of AK-projectiles. So far, no designer has achieved anything comparable."

It is not clear how long the lessons will go on for, although the Ministry has said that their aim was to educate the children to be proud of their country.

In 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin honored the memory of Kalashnikov with a giant monument in Moscow.

But critics are concerned about Russia developing a warlike understanding of patriotism. They have also said that the anniversary program is primarily associating Russian schools to weaponry and violence, rather than cultural or academic achievements.

The teaching material is intended for students of all ages.

Kalashnikov, who died in 2013 at the age of 94, is seen in Russia as a national hero.

In the lead-up to his anniversary, the country is celebrating with a number of different events across the country. The weapon designer would have turned 100 years old on November 10.