Poland has introduced mandatory firearms training for teenagers to prepare its citizens against potential Russian aggression as ongoing tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine continue.
As a NATO member bordering both Russia and Ukraine, Poland has been on high alert since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Polish government has consistently taken proactive measures to strengthen its national defense, including bolstering border security.
Historically voluntary, firearms training for schoolchildren has now become compulsory as part of a broader effort to prepare citizens for military threats.
The "Education for Safety" program, set to be implemented across 18,000 schools, will train Polish teens aged 14 to 16 in firearms handling, tactical rescue, survival skills, and cybersecurity.
Using laser-based technology for safety, students will learn to assemble and operate pistols and rifles, with no live ammunition involved.
While some adults view the initiative with concern, many students and parents support the program, considering it a necessary measure given current geopolitical uncertainties.
This unprecedented program makes Poland the only country in Europe requiring mandatory firearms training in schools, reflecting its unique position at the frontlines of NATO's eastern defense.
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