From Sept Poland the gymnasts they will learn shooting and handling weapons. The reform signed by the Minister of Education Przemyslaw Czarnekmprovides for the introduction of theoretical lessons for 13- to 14-year-old pupils in the eighth grade and practical lessons for pupils in the first upper grade with the stated aim Increase self-defense skills the youngest. These lessons take the place of the dedicated ones security and al First aidin which students learned to respond to emergency situations, and those of health educationwhich are completely deleted.
However, the introduction of firearms courses is gradual. As reported on the Ministry of Education’s website, “starting in the 2024-2025 school year, safety education in shooting skills using pistols, airguns, replica small arms, virtual shooting ranges or lasers will be conducted” to give schools time to adapt equipped with the necessary structures and materials. or Firearms and Shooting Ranges.
The change in the school timetable was officially decided by the war in Ukraine and from the feeling of insecurity that the latter has generated in the Polish population, which historically perceives its geographical proximity as a threat Russia, but self-defense has always been an issue close to the heart of the ultra-nationalist government and the right more generally. The conflict therefore became the perfect pretext for implementing policies which, according to Czarnekm himself, would have been criticized if they had been adopted before the war broke out, but which this time have instead found widespread support among the country’s political forces.
Another chapter, always associated with self-defense and dear to the heart of the Conservative Party, is that of gun ownership. With an average of 2.5 firearms per 100 inhabitants, Poland is one of the Union countries with the lowest number of legal owners, and has them strict laws about licensing for the gun license. The legislative aspect is precisely what Conservatives have repeatedly drawn attention to. The Republican Party has proposed a Facilitate the bureaucratic process and an amendment to the laws currently in force on the self defensewho also receives the support of the deputy Arkadiusz Czartoryski of the ruling party (Law and Justice), according to which Polish society “is ready to learn and shape itself autonomously even non-governmental organizations in defense of the fatherland“.
The proposed simplification of access to weapons is accompanied, among other things, by an increased interest in self-defense among citizens. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the number of people registered at shooting ranges and interested in buying a firearm has increased, and some private companies have also set up courses for their employees.
But self-defense is only the last piece of a more general one militarization of Poland. In March, the government passed a corresponding law 3% of GDP is public defense spending and for twice as many military personnel which should thus reach 300,000 units. The ultimate goal of the ultra-conservative executive branch is to strengthen Poland’s defenses in the face of the Russian threat and create armed forces capable of responding to external threats without relying solely on support from the US or other members of the Russian Federation leaving Born.
Even before the war Warsaw had signed contracts for the purchase of 24 Turkish TB2 dronesout 366 Abrams chariotout 500 HIMARS field rocket launchersadditional anti-aircraft missiles patriot and 32 F-35 fighter from the US while out South Korea a thousand should arrive K2 car680 self-propelled K9 and 50 light fighters FA-50. With the increase in the defense budget, Poland will also have at least 30 AW149 helicopter of Leonardo, a long-term strategic partner of Warsaw. The country is also completing the installation work of theAegis on landthe system for detecting and destroying ballistic missiles and part of theEuropean stepwise adaptive approach, the European missile defense project to defend NATO bases on the Old Continent. This includes those based in Italy.
Increasing military spending and teaching firearms skills in schools are thus two sides of the militarization process carried out by and with one of the most conservative executive branches in Europe brothers of Italy has long since built up an alliance at European level and sees it that way reference model for a future government.