One topic seems to have somewhat been overlooked both in education and in the preparation of youth for military service: the elementary military training lessons taught in secondary schools, or rather, the subject of “Pre-conscription training of youth.”
Medianews.az, which focused attention on this issue, first worked on the topic with military expert Uzeyir Jafarov. Uz. Jafarov, stating that there are shortcomings in the field of preparing youth for the military, said that one of the main problems is that the lessons are mostly conducted on a theoretical basis: “However, we have every opportunity to organize the practical foundations of pre-conscription training and to strengthen it practically. Our country's defense industry enterprises are capable of equipping all our schools with training weapons, training mines, and other necessary equipment. It is just necessary for officials responsible for education to take an initiative. However, they do not seem very enthusiastic about this; they seem lazy, they formally approach the elementary military training lessons.”
It should not be thought that young people will anyway acquire the necessary skills and knowledge during their military service. No, the state has defined the subject of pre-conscription training, and the responsible persons must ensure its teaching at an excellent level. The pre-conscription training of youth must be at the highest level. Students should be regularly involved in trainings and exercises, and competitions should be held among them.
These lessons are not only important for boys but also for girls. Firstly, our girls should at least master basic first aid through such lessons. Secondly, perhaps in the future, some of them will turn to a military field and want to become military personnel or officers. From this perspective, it is important that our ladies acquire as broad military knowledge and skills as possible in secondary school.”
Continuing the topic, Medianews.az addressed several questions to the Press Services of the Ministry of Science and Education:
- Currently, in which grades of general education institutions is the subject “Pre-conscription training of youth” taught and how many hours per week?
- What is the level of the material and technical base for the teaching of the subject “Pre-conscription training of youth”?
- What is the personnel potential? Who mainly teaches this subject?
- Are there female teachers among those teaching the subject “Pre-conscription training of youth”?
The Ministry of Science and Education informed Medianews.az that according to the “State Standards of General Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan” approved by the Cabinet of Ministers' decision No. 361 dated September 29, 2020, the pre-conscription training subject is taught at the full secondary education level of the general education stage, i.e., in grades X-XI: “Based on the teaching plans of general education institutions approved each academic year by the relevant order of the Ministry of Science and Education for three years, the pre-conscription training subject is taught two (2) hours per week.”
According to clause 5 of the “Regulations on Elementary Military Training of Youth” approved by the Cabinet of Ministers' decision No. 119 dated May 29, 1998, military leaders can be officers in reserve (retired) with higher or secondary specialized military education or higher civilian education. If these qualified specialists are not available, as an exception, in rural districts, trained and experienced sergeants and corporals in reserve (retired) with complete secondary general education or secondary specialized education are allowed to work as military leaders.”
According to the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Defense and the State Service for Mobilization and Military Service call, at the expense of local executive authorities, equip the military training cabinets of educational institutions with necessary funds and equipment and allow educational institutions to use shooting ranges and training grounds free of charge for the effective conduct of elementary military training lessons: “The Ministry of Health, at the expense of local executive authorities, provides educational institutions with all the necessary equipment for medical training, sanitary kits, stretchers, etc.
Based on clause 6 of the “Regulations on Elementary Military Training of Youth,” the Ministry of Science and Education, together with the State Service for Mobilization and Military Service Call, organizes the teaching process and ensures the improvement of the quality of the elementary military training subject, increases pedagogical and military knowledge, and ensures the professional, methodological mastery and the improvement of military patriotic education work in the upbringing of youth. Military leaders must undergo a one-month orientation meeting in the military unit based on a program approved by the State Service for Mobilization and Military Service Call and the Ministry of Science and Education before starting their duties.”
According to clause 7 of the Regulations, the State Service for Mobilization and Military Service Call provides educational institutions with teaching automatic rifles, small-caliber rifles and ammunition, teaching equipment, individual protection equipment, chemical and radiation reconnaissance devices to organize and conduct the teaching of this subject and military patriotic education work. Both female and male educators are available for the pre-conscription training subject.”
Medianews.az recalls that formerly university students also had military training according to a special program for officer training. The military departments in higher education institutions prepared students for this. However, with the amendment made in October 2018 to the “Law on Military Duty and Military Service,” the military training according to the special program for officer training was abolished, and the military departments in higher education institutions were closed.
Some experts, including Uz. Jafarov, advocate for military lessons also to be included in secondary specialized and higher education institutions.
Naile Gasimova,
Medianews.az
Note: The article was prepared with financial support from the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and corresponds to the contest requirements on the topic “Development of the national identity consciousness of the young generation and the upbringing of patriotic feelings.”
