A unique educational experiment is underway in the German city of Saarbrücken (Saarland): for the first time in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, civil protection is being introduced as a full-fledged subject in the school curriculum. The news was reported by Bild.
Students at one of Saarbrücken’s schools will be the first in the country to study this new subject, which is designed to prepare them for emergency situations. The course will cover first aid, basic civil defense, fire safety, and will also instill a sense of social responsibility.
The subject will be part of the mandatory curriculum, with four lessons per week. It is expected to carry the same academic weight as traditional subjects such as mathematics or German. While the official name of the course has not yet been decided, Saarland authorities are already considering scaling the program up if the pilot proves successful.
The initiative has received political backing at the federal level. Back in April, former German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called for strengthening civil defense components in school education during a press conference in Berlin. According to her, it is essential not only to develop academic knowledge but also to prepare young people for real-life challenges, including natural disasters, fires, and emergency situations.
