More than 400 students from defense classes in the Allier department gathered in Fleuriel on Thursday, May 21, to participate in a day of competition. The objective of these classes is to acquire knowledge and skills to become citizens of tomorrow. Quizzes and sports challenges were on the agenda for this day, which marked the end of a year of training.
Defense classes, designed for students from fourth grade to twelfth grade, help in obtaining knowledge and skills related to citizenship. Through interactions with military personnel and other stakeholders embodying commitment, students have the opportunity to share a rich experience throughout the year.
Each defense class is sponsored by a military or global security unit such as firefighters, gendarmes, or police. The day includes various knowledge tests and sports activities, providing young people with the chance to exchange ideas with professionals after a year of training.
Established in 2018, these defense classes are a partnership between the Ministry of Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Education. Students come together for an hour each week to learn about citizenship and become aware of defense-related issues. The military clarifies that recruitment is not the main goal of these classes.
In the Allier department, there are 19 defense classes involving 17 schools. It is expected that four more classes will be added in the upcoming school year.
