Defense education
Defense education was part of education (not only) in real socialist states.
Defense education in the GDR
In the German Democratic Republic , military education began in childhood. It took the form of troop visits to kindergartens or the presence of the National People's Army (NVA) at press festivals and similar events. In the lower grades, pioneer camps and holiday camps , field games and pioneer maneuvers were carried out. Basic forms of military order were taught in physical education.
Since the 1978/79 school year, military instruction was compulsory in the 9th and 10th grades. Part of the subject was a two-week camp at the end of the 9th school year. Boys were mostly sent to the military camp, while girls were trained in civil defense (ZV) at the school . The introduction of the compulsory subject was supported by the NVA and the Society for Sport and Technology (GST). In the upper level of the extended high school , the pre-military training was continuously continued. After the 11th grade or after the 1st year of training there was again a GST or ZV camp. In some cases, school leavers were also integrated into military education programs in teaching, studying and in the FDGB . Rejection could lead to career problems. However, one must also note that there were many forms of silent protest against military education measures.
The purpose of socialist military education was officially described as
“[...] an important (organized) component of (uniform) socialist education. It includes the totality of all measures for the ideological, character and physical formation of the citizens of our state with a view to the comprehensive defense of the GDR. (It serves the acquisition of knowledge, skills and qualities that enable the citizens to secure the socialist achievements and [...] includes, in addition to the socialist awareness building, the pre-military and military training in special organizations and the armed organs .) Aim of the socialist Defense education is to achieve the unreserved readiness of all citizens to defend our socialist achievements by explaining our military policy. "
Defense education in Israel
A military education program exists in Israel to this day, through which 13 to 18-year-old Israeli and foreign youths are to be prepared for military service in the Israeli armed forces (IDF). The program and the implementing organization are named Gadna (Hebrew: גדנ״ע; an abbreviation for Gedudei No'ar ), which means youth corps or youth battalions . Gadna has been the successor organization to the Ḥagam (Hinnukh Gufani Murḥav; extended physical training), a sub-organization of the Hagana, founded in 1939 . In June 1949 the Knesset passed a law introducing military service for men and women over the age of 18. Gadna was also enshrined in this law as a pre-military service for students.
literature
- Christian Sachse: Active youth - well-educated and disciplined. Defense education in the GDR as an instrument of socialization and rule (1960-1973). Lit Verlag, Münster 2000.
- Ministry of Public Education (Ed.): Curriculum for Civil Defense Course, Grade 9 . People and Knowledge, Berlin 1985, urn : nbn: de: 0111-bbf-spo-19430192 .
Web links
- Michael Koch: The introduction of military instruction in the GDR. (PDF file, 379 KB)
- The introduction of military instruction in the GDR. 5-61-1000_7_rdb_inneres.pdf (PDF file, 447 KB)
Individual evidence
- ^ Definition of “socialist military education” according to Meyers Jugendlexikon, p. 685 and Meyers Handlexikon, Volume 2, p. 578, both in Leipzig 1977