More than a training center, we also educate citizens: the Rural Family House opens a defense class.

In partnership with the CIEC of Castelsarrasin, the rural family home of Moissac formalizes its defense class program. Beyond traditional courses, this project aims to educate citizens about the meaning of commitment and collective actions.

The idea to develop a defense class emerged when discovering the Citizen Rally at the rural family home of Moissac. “For our first participation three years ago, we were completely overwhelmed. We thought it would have the same pace as our usual school outings,” recalls Thierry Amoros, a teacher at the MFR and coordinator of the soccer section. “As we are quite competitive, we decided to find out more about the subject to achieve better results,” he said.

The project then expanded. Instead of focusing on a one-time event in the year, the idea of ​​having continuous follow-up throughout the year was appealing. “The defense class, currently developed in 4th grade, really corresponds to the values ​​we instill in our lessons. It also attracts more people,” notes Thierry Amoros. Thus, the MFR joins the 25 existing defense classes in Tarn-et-Garonne.

The values ​​of the defense class were emphasized several times during the signing of the convention on April 2. The document formalizes the partnership between the rural family home of Moissac and the Center for Advanced Driving Instruction (CIEC) of Castelsarrasin. The moment took place in the presence of students, dressed in their t-shirts with a crest created by the teenagers. “This defense class aligns perfectly with our educational project aimed at guiding our students to find their place in society,” explains Philippe Garcia, president of the MFR of Moissac, which has over 250 students, some of whom work for the municipality of Moissac. “You are on the outskirts of the city but your role is essential,” said Romain Lopez.

“More than just a training center, we also educate citizens,” expressed Marie Castro, vice-president of the Occitanie region. “This initiative serves as an entry point to a world governed by rigor, surpassing oneself, and a sense of collective responsibility,” added Pierre Bressolles, sub-prefect of Tarn-et-Garonne.

The collective spirit encapsulates the mindset of the defense class at the MFR. The curriculum revolves around annual highlights that foster teamwork. “For the creation of their crest, we divided them into pairs and they had to explain to a jury why they used a particular symbol, what message was behind it,” explains Thierry Amoros. The class explores the military environment through the sponsorship of the CIEC and interventions by the French Memory Society. Some students even received training to be flag bearers at official ceremonies in Caussade.

The success of the defense class could lead to its expansion to two levels, in fourth and third grades, in the coming years.