Ukraine's compulsory defense curriculum for schoolchildren is set to commence in 2027 - visual documentation included
In a significant move towards bolstering civil defense readiness, Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science has announced the introduction of a revamped educational program, the updated "Defense of Ukraine" course. This comprehensive curriculum, set to become mandatory for high school students from 2027, aims to equip young Ukrainians with practical national defense skills and prepare them for real-world challenges amid ongoing military threats.
The updated course features a range of key elements designed to foster resilience and preparedness. Students will gain hands-on experience in operating FPV (First-Person View) drones using simulators and actual equipment, enhancing their operational skills. Interactive laser shooting simulators will be used to build combat readiness, while training with radio sets will develop effective communication in field conditions.
First aid and trauma care will also form a crucial part of the curriculum, with students practicing CPR, using tourniquets, bleeding control kits, and other tactical medical gear on mannequins. Personal protection training will teach safety in hazardous situations, using helmets, body armor, certified gas masks, and chemical protection equipment.
Modern learning tools, including tablets and multimedia support, will be employed to develop critical thinking, resilience to disinformation, and emergency response skills. This holistic approach reflects Ukraine's broader national strategy to bolster civil defense readiness as conflict with Russia continues.
Ukraine has already established and equipped nearly 1,000 training centers for the Defence of Ukraine course. Over 280,000 high school students are currently studying the updated course at these centers, with around 4,000 teachers delivering the education. Approximately 65% of all 10th-11th grade pupils in Ukraine are enrolled in this course.
The Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, has emphasised that the Defence of Ukraine course is no longer 'extra training', but a core skill for the modern individual. He stated that knowledge of security, self-defence, medicine, and the media landscape is essential for personal dignity and a courageous outlook on one's future in one's own country.
Recent developments in the region have further underscored the importance of this initiative. For instance, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Russian general Surovikin was found in Algeria, while Putin has dismissed General Surovikin as commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Russian media claimed to have found Russian Minister of Defence, Sergei Shoigu, after many days' absence.
In conclusion, the updated Defense of Ukraine course represents a significant step towards enhancing youth preparedness and resilience in the context of Ukraine's high ongoing defense needs and security challenges. By equipping students with life-saving and defense-related skills from an early age, Ukraine is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its future generations.
- The revamped "Defense of Ukraine" course, scheduled to be mandatory for high school students from 2027, will not only include practical national defense skills, but also education in technology, as students will learn to operate FPV drones using simulators and actual equipment.
- In the broader context of the ongoing conflict with Russia, the updated course aims to bolster not only civil defense readiness but also the economy, as it reflects Ukraine's national strategy to foster a resilient and self-reliant workforce through education and self-development.
- As the Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, emphasized, the Defence of Ukraine course is no longer just extra training, but a core skill for the modern individual, teaching not only defense-related skills, but also first aid, critical thinking, and media literacy, which are essential in the realm of health, politics, and general news.
