Estonian Defence Minister Kalle Laanet has noted that the current security situation in the region requires introducing defence education in Estonian schools and willingness to protect the Baltic country should also be discussed at pre-school stage, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports.
On Wednesday, January 5, the Estonian Defence Minister said on ERR webcast Otse uudistemajast that the current geopolitical climate is the most turbulent it has been in the past 30 years.
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After discussing the potential to take part in national defence in kindergarten, in school the topic should be continued with potential classes on national defence, Lannet noted. According to him, at school level, pupils should gain a deeper understanding of regular conscription, the conducting of military exercises, and even greater involvement of the Defence League volunteer military organisation.
The Reform Party politician, who will mark his first year as the Defence Minister in January, also spoke of a serious increase of the Estonian defence budget. The envisaged growth in military spending is EUR 100 million in the 2022 state budget and is according to Laanet, is the highest increase in the history of the Baltic country, ERR reports.
Estonia: Geopolitical tensions require introducing defence education in school
