Children must be prepared for combat to build their “resilience”, Germany’s education minister says as tensions continue to escalate with Russia.
Bettina Stark-Watzinger, 55, said she would also like to see schools introduce “civil defense” drills so children are prepared for years to come.
“Society as a whole must prepare well for crises, whether it is a pandemic, natural disasters or wars,” she said. Funke Media Group.
“Civil protection is extremely important and it also has its place in schools. The goal must be to strengthen our resilience.
The 55-year-old German minister expressed her wish for members of the German army – also known as the Bundeswehr – to work more closely with communities.
German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (pictured in 2024) says children should be combat-ready as tensions rise between NATO and Russia.
The 55-year-old minister wants members of the German army (pictured) to work more closely with the community so that children can become familiar with them.
She believes this would make the country’s children feel more comfortable around military officials.
“I think it is important that youth officers come to schools and report what the Bundeswehr is doing for our safety,” she added.
Some German education officials also agreed with the minister’s most recent position.
The president of the German Teachers’ Association, Stefan Düll, said his ideas were “logical”.
“I expect that the federal minister will now seek discussions with the education ministers of the states,” he told the German newspaper. Picture.
“A declaration of intent is not enough: we must now draw political lessons from the war in Ukraine and the pan-European, even global, threat situation.”
Stark-Watzinger’s comments come shortly after the German government said it wanted to make its nation “kriegstuchig,” which in English means “ready for war.”
The statement comes as relations between NATO and Russia become increasingly tense, with senior German defense officials predicting conflict could erupt at other borders on the continent in the coming years. Telegraph reports.
The education minister’s statements represent a shift in position from Germany, which has been reluctant for years to become a security power in Europe.
The politician also hopes to see schools introduce ‘civil defense’ exercises so children are prepared for years to come.
The president of the German Teachers’ Association, Stefan Düll, agreed with the minister’s recent comments, but said the intention was “not enough” (photo: Bundeswhere members at NATO exercise in 2024)
But after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, its stance on international relations has since changed.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the war in Ukraine a “zeitenwende,” signifying a turning point for his country.
In doing so, he also promised Ukraine record sums of money – but his support has so far not been limited.
Some criticized the chancellor’s initial hesitation to send tanks to the war-torn country.
Most recently, an extraordinary row erupted after Mr. Scholz said he would not supply long-range Taurus missiles to kyiv because it would require assistance from German troops on the ground.
He argued that following the example of the United Kingdom and France would make his nation a “participant in the war”.
Conservatives called the comments “dangerous,” “irresponsible” and a “slap in the face” to NATO allies. He was also accused of giving Vladimir Putin a pretext for an “escalation”.
Highlighting the risks of Mr Scholz’s remarks, Mr Putin today used his annual speech to assert that NATO and the West are preparing to strike Russian territory and warn that he is ready to retaliate with nuclear weapons.