German minister proposes crisis and war preparedness in school curriculum

BERLIN

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has proposed integrating crisis and war preparedness lessons into school curricula amid growing tensions with Russia.

Dobrindt, a member of the center-right CSU, told the Handelsblatt newspaper that he plans to raise the issue at next month's meeting with interior ministers from the federal states.

"My proposal is that in one school year, students in upper grade levels spend two consecutive class periods discussing what threat scenarios might exist and how to prepare for them," Dobrindt said.

He also noted that children serve as important knowledge carriers within families and that this approach could help raise awareness at home.

Dobrindt's remarks come amid growing tensions between European countries and Russia, as US President Donald Trump's recent efforts for a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow have stalled.

The conservative interior minister has recently accused Russia of waging a "hybrid war" against Germany and its European partners through disinformation campaigns, influence operations, cyberattacks, and sabotage.

Germany's political and military leaders have repeatedly warned that the country must be "fit for war" by 2029 amid heightened concerns about Russia's military capabilities and intentions. German Chief of Defense General Carsten Breuer warned earlier this year that Russia would be capable of launching an attack on a NATO country within the next four to seven years.

BERLIN

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has proposed integrating crisis and war preparedness lessons into school curricula amid growing tensions with Russia.

Dobrindt, a member of the center-right CSU, told the Handelsblatt newspaper that he plans to raise the issue at next month's meeting with interior ministers from the federal states.

"My proposal is that in one school year, students in upper grade levels spend two consecutive class periods discussing what threat scenarios might exist and how to prepare for them," Dobrindt said.

He also noted that children serve as important knowledge carriers within families and that this approach could help raise awareness at home.

Dobrindt's remarks come amid growing tensions between European countries and Russia, as US President Donald Trump's recent efforts for a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow have stalled.