Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Wächinger (FDP) believes that schools have a responsibility to prepare students for the possibility of war as well, in the context of civil protection. Her relevant statements cause strong reactions.

“Society as a whole must properly prepare for crises – from a pandemic to natural disasters and war,” the minister said in an interview with the Funke Group newspapers. “Civil protection is extremely important and has a place in schools. Our goal must be to strengthen our resilience,” added Ms. Stark-Wächinger and advocated civil defense drills in schools, even citing Britain as an example.

“Disaster exercises are part of everyday life there and we can learn from that. “Young people need to be aware of threats to their freedom and be able to deal with the risks, and schools have a duty to highlight the risks in an age-appropriate way, but also to help deal with anxiety and fear,” he stressed, clarifying that it would not be a new course, but to add content to existing ones.

The education minister also called on schools in Germany to develop a “relaxed” relationship with the armed forces, with visits by officers who will undertake to explain exactly what the Bundeswehr does for the safety of citizens. He rejected, however, in response to a related question, the suggestions regarding the reinstatement of compulsory military service. “It was removed because it is no longer considered constitutionally acceptable,” he pointed out, stressing that “attention should not be distracted from what is really necessary at this time, which is to equip the Bundeswehr to be able to defend itself.”

Mrs. Stark-Wächinger received the support of the Liberal Party (FDP) representative for Education Rhea Schroeder for her proposals. “Children and young people must prepare for crises and wars at school. How we behave when a crisis occurs. They should also learn first aid,” said Mrs. Schroeder, while the president of the German Teachers’ Association, Stefan Dull, noted that “it is the duty of the school to honestly convey to children and young people the challenges of the time, among other things regarding crises and wars. Let’s not forget: young people with experiences of wars are already in many classrooms of our schools: from Syria, Afghanistan or Ukraine,” he said. However, he emphasized at the same time that he does not consider it appropriate to conduct civil defense exercises in schools.

On the part of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the president of the Conference of Education Ministers of the Länder, Christine Streichert-Klievot, called the proposal of the federal education minister “too restrictive”. “Children and young people need to prepare more broadly for the future. And if the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that there isn’t just one crisis for which we can and should prepare. Pandemics, wars, natural disasters, climate change, profound changes in society and the economy…” said Mrs. Streichert-Klievot.

Ms. Stark-Wächinger “should focus more on the basic structures of the education system, judging by the poor results of the PISA survey. Progress is urgently needed on many educational issues. But not fear-mongering with bellicose rhetoric,” said the chairman of the Bundestag’s Education Committee, Kai Gehring (Greens).

In the same mood, the head of the parliamentary group of the Left, Heidi Reichinek, called for more investment in education and covering the gaps in teachers. “The Minister of Education should take care of this, instead of inciting fear of war in schools,” he said.