"From the year 2027, the defense of Ukraine will become a compulsory subject for schoolchildren - pictorial representation included"
In a significant move towards equipping the younger generation with essential skills for national security and defense, Ukrainian high schools have introduced an updated **Defense of Ukraine** course. This curriculum, part of a model curriculum launched nearly a year ago, is being taught at over 4,000 specially established training centres across the country.
The course covers a wide range of topics, including FPV drone operation, communication skills using radio sets, tactical awareness through interactive laser shooting simulators, essential medical skills using mannequins for CPR and first aid, and personal protection and safety training using helmets, body armour, and chemical protection gear.
Ukraine's Minister of Education and Science, Okssen Lisovyi, has emphasised the importance of these skills, stating that knowledge of these topics is now seen as a core skill for the modern individual in Ukraine. He further stated that the course is no longer considered 'extra training' but a core skill for the modern individual.
The course aims to prepare students for real-world challenges, enhance their resilience, develop critical thinking, and equip them with life-saving skills. It aligns with Ukraine's broader strategy to strengthen national defense and security by fostering a well-prepared and skilled younger generation.
The updated course is set to become mandatory for high school students starting in 2027, with approximately 65% of all 10th-11th grade pupils currently studying the updated course. The benefits of this course, according to Lisovyi, extend beyond the practical skills, with personal dignity and a courageous outlook on one's future in one's own country being emphasised.
The new teaching tools, including FPV drone operation simulators with computers, radio sets for teaching communication basics, and interactive laser-based shooting trainers, are not mentioned in the earlier bullet points but are integral to the practical learning experience for students studying Defence of Ukraine. These tools are in addition to standard items such as whiteboards, markers, chairs, and desks.
The Ministry of Education and Science in Ukraine has approved this updated list of teaching tools for the subject Defence of Ukraine, reflecting the country's response to the ongoing conflict with Russia, where increasing domestic defense capabilities and preparing the population for potential threats are seen as critical steps.
[1] Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine [3] Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science Press Release, Date: [insert date]
- The updated Defense of Ukraine course, introduced by Ukrainian high schools, now includes teaching technology such as FPV drone operation simulators and radio sets, reflecting the Ministry of Education and Science's efforts to integrate modern skills in science and technology into education-and-self-development and prepare the younger generation for general-news scenarios requiring resilience and critical thinking.
- Alongside domestic defense strategies, the updated course emphasizes the importance of health through essential medical skills training, aligning with the broader objective of the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science to promote personal protection and safety, ensuring that students are equipped to save lives and stay safe in potentially threatening situations.
- As part of the national security agenda, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science has also integrated politics into the Defense of Ukraine course, with the aim of fostering a courageous outlook and instilling a sense of personal dignity among students, preparing them to confidently face challenges in their future and contribute to Ukraine's wellbeing.
