“The nation must be prepared for war from school.” FPV drones in educational programs are not about militarism, but about necessity
14 July 16:08
Ukrainian schoolchildren will learn how to fly FPV drones as part of the updated course “Defense of Ukraine” for secondary education institutions. The relevant changes have already been approved by an order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
This was reported by the Ministry of Education and Science.
The report says that the updated list of teaching aids and equipment for teaching this subject includes
- simulators for training to control FPV drones with computers;
- drones for practicing practical skills;
- radio stations for familiarization with the basics of communication;
- interactive laser shooting ranges;
- tablets for educational purposes;
- modern multimedia equipment;
- mannequins for training in resuscitation and first aid;
- tourniquets and other means of stopping bleeding;
- kits for tactical medicine;
- simulators for practicing trauma care;
- updated helmets and body armor;
- certified gas masks;
- chemical protection equipment;
- other specialized equipment.
The Ministry of Education and Science notes that the new equipment will allow students to learn vital first aid skills, get acquainted with modern security technologies, develop critical thinking, resistance to information manipulation, and gain practical skills for emergency situations.
The nation must be prepared for war from school
The introduction of FPV drone control and other elements of modern military training into the school curriculum is not only a relevant decision, but also a strategically important step for Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the 429th separate regiment of unmanned systems with the call sign “Achilles” in a conversation with journalists "Komersant Ukrainian".
Fedorenko is referring back to the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, when thousands of Ukrainians took up arms for the first time just before the battle. This hasty mobilization had its price.
“We got thousands of soldiers on the battlefield who took up firearms for the first time in their lives just before the battle. This led to certain losses in the defense forces that could have been avoided,” the commander emphasized.
Yuriy Fedorenko is convinced that if most Ukrainians had at least basic skills in weaponry, tactical medicine, radio communications and small group work, the outcome on the battlefield would have been completely different.
“Imagine the situation in 2022, but with the difference that 80-90% of people already had a general understanding of military affairs. How many lives could be saved? What effect could we achieve in destroying the enemy?”
According to Fedorenko, training should begin not after the call-up, but at school, and continue at universities and workplaces. This, he says, should become part of the state strategy.
“If we are talking about preparing the Ukrainian nation for war, it should start at school, then at university, then at work,” he said.
“An unpopular solution, but a necessary one”
The military offers a radical, but necessary solution – to put military training at the heart of the functioning of society.
“I would make an unpopular decision that Ukrainians would not like: if you do not have military training, it will be very difficult to make a life for yourself,” says Fedorenko.
In his opinion, this model should be supported by the state. After all, a prepared society is the best guarantee of security. “Achilles supports the renewal of the Defense of Ukraine program, considering it a step in the right direction.
“I view this initiative as extremely positive. If you do not want your children to fight, they must be trained to fight effectively. The state is the least that can prepare people for a potential threat. This threat from the Russian Federation has been, is and will be. You may not believe my words, but it is very difficult not to believe history,” emphasizes Yuriy Fedorenko.
Knowledge gives confidence – and it increases defense capability
Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier Yevhen Ivliev, call sign “Sheikh,” also expressed support for the introduction of a discipline related to the basics of using drones in educational institutions. He believes that in times of war, it is not just appropriate, it is necessary.
According to Ivlev, after three years of full-scale war, Ukraine has to adapt its education system to new realities:
“As for the importance of this subject, this discipline, yes, it is very necessary. As for the challenges our country has faced, we have been at war for three years. This is an absolutely normal, adequate and correct decision.”
Ivlev emphasizes that children’s education will not be about explosives or warfare, but only about mastering technologies that have already become part of the modern world:
“I would like to note that no one plans to teach children how to make explosives. Children will be taught only how to fly FPV drones, which can at least be used as sports drones. There are many competitions in this discipline.”
The military man is convinced that a person who already has basic knowledge and skills is much more confident to defend the state. Ivlev also recalled the outbreak of war in 2022 and emphasized that such disciplines are an investment in the future.
“When a person feels that he has mastered some kind of conventional weapon – let’s call it FPV drones – such a person will be much more likely to go to defend his country. Because they will understand very well what they will be doing. While the army was more or less ready for the challenges facing the state, society was more enthusiastic. People were running, realizing that they had to defend, but what exactly to do was a secondary issue.”
That is, the initiative to introduce FPV drones into training is not about war, but about readiness. Readiness to act, understand, help, and not panic in the face of danger. And schools are the best place to build this resilience.
