Germany Proposes Civil Defense Training in Schools to Bolster Crisis Preparedness

The Interior Ministry advocates integrating crisis management into education, sparking regional debates over its implementation and tone.

The German Federal Interior Ministry is urging schools to incorporate civil defense training and emergency preparedness into their curricula, citing evolving security challenges.
This initiative includes recommendations for students to practice crisis scenarios and for households to stockpile 72-hour emergency supplies of essentials like water and food.
While federal guidance is provided, educational content decisions remain under state jurisdiction, with the Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK) offering support materials for schools.
Regional leaders in Thüringen and other areas call for age-appropriate, balanced approaches to avoid creating unnecessary panic among students and families.
Critics, including experts and political figures, warn against alarmist messaging and emphasize the importance of fostering resilience and diplomatic solutions over militarized narratives.