У his post on Facebook on Facebook, Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Hero of Ukraine Valentyn Mankoexpressed concern about the lack of attention to military and patriotic education of Ukrainian youth. He emphasized the importance of forming conscious and trained citizens from an early age, shared his thoughts on this issue and suggested ways to solve it.
“When I look at today’s children, I can’t help but wonder: are they ready to defend their country like we do at the front? Most of them are on their smartphones, living in a virtual world, and meanwhile, the reality around them is not getting safer. While we are thinking about how to secure our future, Russia is raising “cannon fodder” – young people who are accustomed to military discipline, the cult of power and blind obedience from kindergarten. They are creating a generation of performers who do not even think about why and for whom they are fighting.
And what do we do? We have wonderful traditions, such as Plast or the game Dzhura. But it’s all voluntary, based on enthusiasm, and not all children have access to it. If we want to have a truly strong and conscious future generation, such initiatives should become mandatory and widespread. School camps, sports games, and programs like Jura should be part of the education process. They can combine physical fitness, teamwork, leadership, and even elements of tactical training. This is not just a game – it is about building character and the ability to stand up for yourself and your country.
Earlier, in the Soviet Union, there was a game called Zarnitsa. Although the ideology of those times was far from us, it is worth recognizing that it was through such initiatives that a significant number of children of that time received the basic skills that helped them become defenders. Many modern veterans who are defending our country recall how they learned tactics, orienteering, and teamwork at Zarnitsa. It was a kind of foundation on which they built skills useful in military service. So why can’t we use this approach now, adapting it to modern needs and Ukrainian realities?
In addition, children need summer camps where they can not only relax but also learn something useful. For example, the basics of survival, orienteering, and the basics of medical care. These are not only useful skills, but they form the inner core that every citizen needs.
My son is involved in wrestling and music. We try to give him all-round development so that he grows up to be a strong, intelligent and conscious person. But I see other children immersed in screens, avoiding physical activity or even ordinary conversations with their parents. This is a serious challenge that we have to address. Because raising a child is not just about knowledge or comfort. It is about preparing them for life in a world that is often unfair and cruel.
As a person who has seen the war with my own eyes since 2014, I know that without a conscious and strong generation, we can lose everything we are currently defending so hard. We have to not only train future defenders, but also raise leaders who know what they are fighting for and how to achieve it. This is our shared responsibility – of parents, teachers, and the state.
We have no right to think that someone else will prepare our children for life. It is our responsibility. And if we really want to win, we have to start with the basics – with education.” .
In his article, Valentyn Manko emphasizes that military-patriotic education should become a mandatory part of education. In his opinion, this is critical for the formation of a generation that will be ready to defend Ukraine’s independence and preserve its sovereignty.
Leave a Reply