摘要:The paper discusses the problem of the sustainable functioning of the educational system in the context of the intensive development of information technologies, which is urgent in Russia and, practically, in other countries throughout the world. It has become especially acute in recent years in connection with the forced transition to a large-scale organization of distance learning. Based on the analysis of the cultural and historical process in Russia, the most important traditions and features of Russian education are identified, which ensured its sustainable development and world recognition of a high level of quality. The radical economic and social changes at the end of the twentieth century, their consequences and impact on education are considered. The authors point to a number of factors that play a significant role in the development of the education system, determining its flexibility and sustainability. Special attention is paid to modern trends in the development and use of information technologies in education in the context of digitalization of the economy, including distance learning, and the open education system. New objective possibilities are compared that should contribute to the formation of an innovative educational environment of the university, intellectualization of the educational process, and problematic aspects that require detailed study. The authors classify these problems. The directions of their solution are outlined.