« Girls shoot better than boys »: As in Ukrainian schools, teaching « Protection of Ukraine » is changing – publications

In Ukraine, since the beginning of the academic year, students have studied the subject of « Fatherland Protection » in a new way: now it is « Protection of Ukraine ». Not only has the name changed – for the first time in the history of the subject, the girl and the boys finally learn to shoot, fly on drones, and provide first aid.

In Lviv, reform at the local level took place a year faster. On the example of one of the Lviv Centers « Life » learned how to study from « Protection of Ukraine » and what students and teachers think about changes.

Handling weapons

The center of the center is equipped in the basement. The class is divided into two parts: multimedia – for viewing theoretical material, the other – is allocated for practical workout handling.

Especially for the student’s dash, the Center has purchased installations for professional shooters, which automatically raise targets, which reduces the likelihood of injury. On the basis of the center you can work out shooting of pistols and rifles. They also plan to buy lasergs: gaming devices that instead of shots indicate the laser place of possible damage.

According to the words Olga Zayachkivskathe head of the Center, most students attend classes, although there are children who refuse for religious reasons, about 2%. In such cases, the center puts a lesson of fire preparation for the class latter. Teens study the theoretical part – and test. But they do not participate in the practical part: they remain to support classmates, or can be released from this part of the lesson – with the agreement of parents.

The students we have communicated with are considered positive – now the lessons are common, and the girls are also undergoing fire training.

« It seems to me that shot likes all girls. It is really fun to try how it works, feel a shot. I personally like to shoot a gun than a gun », «  -says 16-year-old Roksolyana student.

The lesson lasts 90 minutes. The first part of the lesson is theoretical, then practical. Initially, children are told about the types of weapons, their strengths and weaknesses, which the lesions carry and how they are neutralized.

When firing with students, an instructor assistant works Stanislav Davidyuk. Stanislav – a veteran, fought from the age of 19, was a miner, worked repeatedly on the line of collision.

« As practice shows, girls shoot much better than boys. But in general, it is wrong to evaluate children on shooting, because these are not combat conditions, but a simple type.– says Stanislav.

Tactical medicine

– Children, I have to warn that there will be open wound frames in this lesson. Does someone get bad from the appearance of blood? – Asks a domedical training instructor Olga Loik 11th grade students.

One schoolgirl raises her hand – the instructor asks how she feels now, whether he can continue the lesson – and nods.

– I already had times when the children said they would withstand, but they got bad. So I ask you as soon as you hear that you are bad – go out, you need help – also say– the instructor insists.

According to the first education, Olga is an economist, the second is a civil protection teacher. According to her, tactical medicine became a love at first sight.

Students and students of Lviv schools work out the imposition of turnstiles on a training field

Source: Lviv Center for Patriotic Training

« On civil protection we also taught medicine. But after the courses, it is a tactical medicine. and soul, constantly renewing knowledge « – says the instructor.

Olga and her assistant Irina Kapustina They teach how to fix inguinal, axillary wounds and damage in the neck. Initially, children watch training videos. Created by the US Army protocols, original in English. The instructor then demonstrates the technique of working with the wound several times.

During the lesson we were on, they showed ways of imposing an Israeli bandage. The instructor’s assistant Irina gives out bandages to children – and they begin to work out.

Irina Kapustina is a sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, paramedic. In the army since 2017, it has been repeatedly in the war zone, managed the work of the medical center. The instructor’s assistant started working on maternity leave so that you do not lose skills:

« Everything is stable here, but you do not know what to expect. In general, children want to learn, because they understand that without this knowledge, and wherever you are, unfortunately, they can become necessary. »

Source: Lviv Center for Patriotic Training

According to Irina, after classes, the children began to buy turnstiles and carry with them. Someone is more interested in tactical medicine because parents are fighting.

Some of the students and students have verified the assistants who wanted to join the military academy to associate their lives with the army.

Tactical training

Tactical training is divided into two cycles. Theoretical classes over two years cover the stages of preparation and conduct of combat, study of tactics of troops and communication. Since it is difficult to practice tactics in school conditions, students are taught to manage drones.

In general, most children learn to fly quickly.

« Many students do not come out of units, but some children are so passionate about drones that they know everything about them. But I have to say that it is not easy to study here in general, because joystics on simulators are more sensitive than on real remotes, » – says Olena Bondarenko, an assistant for tactical training.

The class is equipped with computers with consoles. In some places, children fly on drones that use defense forces during fighting. The instructors take 30 minutes to flight.

« It’s the same as to drive a car: if you don’t go for a long time – you lose skills. Here’s all the same – holds on to the muscular memory of the fingers, » Says the tactical training instructor Vitaliy Bondarenko.

Bondarenko – a military personnel, worked as a teacher of military and police academies.

The student during practical work on training and field training

Source: Lviv Center for Patriotic Training

Reform of « Protection of Ukraine »

In Ukraine since the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year, the lessons of « Protection of Ukraine » are taking place for a new approach. The division into boys and girls is canceled. If the class requires division into groups – then it is alphabetical. Students are trained in the updated program, which is more relevant to aspects that affect the safety of students and orientation in dangerous situations.

The training is divided into 6 blocks, lessons take place during one month. The reform has started operating all over Ukraine, except Kiev.

In Lviv, the Ministry of Students have been preparing for the second year by the Ministry of Students. The city works 14 centersat least two in each area. For the motivation of students twice a year, extracurricular trips to landfills for practical skills: in the fall and spring.

Participation in training is voluntary, with the consent of parents.

« What is being done in Lviv is a unique project, because in a year we have been able to grind the program – and from this academic year the centers are already working harmoniously. They do not prepare the military, do not prepare NATO fighters. – says veteran, Ambassador UNBROKEN, freelance adviser to the mayor of Lviv Vladimir Rudkovsky.

In Lviv, veterans are involved in teaching. They undergo special trainings and training to work with children.

« In my opinion, not everyone who was in the war zone can be a class teacher, but those who have motivation, who is aware that children are the future of the nation, one should give a chance to teach. The most instructors can give students – is motivation, their own experience and knowledge. PTSD ”, – adds Vladimir Rudkovsky.

In general, according to the teachers of the Center, first was very distrust of the subject. Parents could not let their children go to training, asked if the subject does not automatically mean the service then. The moods of parents were also reflected in the students’ attitude to the subject.

« From the first days we explained to them what it is for and why it is important. We told in the examples of how in Lviv or in other places people died as a result of improper imposition of a turnstile. We explain to them that, God forbid, it will happen to someone of their loved ones, they will not be expensive.– says the head of the Center Olga Zayachkivska.

The schools of the schools for reform were also not confirmed. Changes provided for removal of the loads of the subject from the schools and the transfer of training to the centers. Accordingly, the teachers of « Fatherland Protection » lost their work, and the obligation of children’s logistics planning at schools. But, according to the director of the secondary school of 91 m. Lviv Galina Pizi, the reform has a positive impact.

« In teaching the subject » Protection of Ukraine « dramatic changes. First, a lot of practice, a lot of real skills. Second, to be candid, there were schools where there were good teachers » Protection of Ukraine « , but in general this subject was an additional load of teachers, such as physical education or biology-respective– the director comments.

Sofia Chelyak, Especially for UP