November 3, 2025

Germany is thinking big about safety! Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt from the Christian Social Union wants German schools to teach students practical training for emergencies. Imagine what that means — lessons on how to use fire extinguishers, rescue injured friends, and perform CPR. This is not just theory; it’s real-world readiness! Dobrindt told the Handelsblatt newspaper, "My suggestion is that, once every school year, an extended lesson with older pupils is held that covers various possible threat scenarios and how to prepare for them." He believes crisis preparation should become part of everyday school life. This idea comes at a tense time. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, "We are not at war, but also no longer in peace," hinting at dangers from Russia. Experts warn that Russia might strike NATO territories before the decade ends. So, Germany is stepping up with stronger military forces and better civil defense. Teachers like the idea! Stefan Düll, President of the German Teachers' Association, said, "The war has, one must be honest and just say it, long arrived in classrooms." He supports discussing crisis and war openly with young people. He added, "You learn options for action and in doing so build ability and competence. From that develops resilience, because I have dealt with things which are not pleasant, but I could actually encounter." Quentin Gärtner, from the Federal School Students Council, recalled his own school days did not have such drills, "The only thing I know is the classic fire alarm." He agrees, "It makes sense to prepare us for catastrophe scenarios," and said such prep helps people feel safer and cooler during crises. But he warns, "School social workers and school psychologists must accompany these lessons" because not all students are ready mentally. Not everyone is happy. Nicole Gohlke from the Left Party called this "scaremongering, especially with children and young people, unacceptable." Far-right AfD's Gottfried Curio accused Dobrindt of trying to make a war seem "inevitable." The Green Party welcomes it but wants more than just one long lesson yearly. Education in Germany is controlled by states, so each decides the curriculum. Budget-wise, Germany is serious. The government plans nearly €10 billion ($11.6 billion) by 2029 to upgrade civil protection—modern shelters, warning systems, water supplies, and emergency vehicles. Dobrindt urges everyone to keep emergency supplies at home too. "You don't need to be a prepper to understand that a few days' worth of supplies, a flashlight, batteries or a wind-up radio are reasonable precautions," he says. "Whoever has that is not panicked, but prepared." Looking abroad, countries like Japan and Poland already teach crisis prep deeply. Japanese kids learn from kindergarten; Poles aged 14-15 get even weapons safety training — but without live bullets. While Polish students enjoy this, German educators shy away. As Stefan Düll put it, "German schoolyards are not parade grounds in barracks," and firing lessons are "the army's job, not students'." Quentin Gärtner agrees, saying, "Shooting lessons are definitely not part of good disaster preparedness." So, Germany faces a crucial choice: Ready students for crises with practical skills or stay cautious? One thing’s sure — safety talks have hit the classroom, and the countdown to preparedness has begun!

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Tags: Germany, Crisis Preparation, School Training, Civil Defense, Emergency Drills, War preparedness,