Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) sees schools as having a responsibility to prepare young people for war. Society in Germany must prepare for crises, “from a pandemic to natural disasters to war,” the minister told the newspapers of the Funke media group. Civil defense also belongs in schools. The goal must be to “strengthen our resilience,” said Stark-Watzinger. She also spoke out in favor of civil defense exercises in schools.
In other countries, such as Great Britain, the issue is dealt with much more naturally. School exercises in the event of a disaster are part of everyday life there. “We can learn from this,” said the minister. The minister also called on schools to develop a “relaxed relationship with the Bundeswehr”. Youth officers should come to schools and report on what the Bundeswehr is doing for the security of society.
Young people must be aware of the threats to freedom and be able to deal with the dangers, demanded Stark-Watzinger. This doesn’t have to be a separate school subject, but it does have to be a learning content. It’s also about addressing worries and fears. The teaching staff would therefore have to include social workers and psychologists in the future.