Poland Introduces Mandatory Firearms Training for Schoolchildren
Poland has introduced a new program that requires all schools to provide mandatory firearm and basic first aid training to students aged 14 to 16. The “Education for Safety” program aims to educate students on theoretical and practical gun-handling skills, including how to assemble and disassemble firearms, improve shooting accuracy, and respond to warfare-related threats.
The program, designed in collaboration with the national defense ministry, also includes lessons on state security, survival techniques, and tactical rescue. First aid training and cybersecurity awareness are also integral components of the curriculum.
The program is a response to the increasing threat to state security posed by the 2022 war in Ukraine, according to the education ministry. The trainings, conducted for one hour per week in school gymnasiums, are designed to address the growing concern over Russia’s aggression in the region.
The move is part of a broader effort by the Polish government to prepare its population for potential conflict. Gun ownership is regulated in Poland, but it is accepted, with strict background checks and mandatory training required for firearm licenses. The program is planned to be implemented across all 18,000 schools nationwide, marking a significant shift in education policy amid escalating geopolitical tensions.