The Rada passed a law on preparing for national resistance in schools, colleges, and universities
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted Law No. 13347, which introduces systematic training of citizens for national resistance in educational institutions—schools, colleges, and universities.
A total of 263 members of parliament voted in favor of the corresponding bill No. 13347, which amends certain laws regarding the preparation of citizens for national resistance, in the second reading and as a whole.
The document provides for a transition from general military training to a systematic model of citizen training in educational institutions. The program will be implemented in institutions of higher and pre-higher vocational education regardless of students’ gender.
Training begins at the third level of complete general secondary education and is conducted in schools, vocational-technical schools, and vocational colleges that hold the appropriate license. At this level, the foundation of instruction is the subject “Defense of Ukraine” and activities related to military-patriotic education.
At the vocational pre-higher and higher education levels, training continues in the form of the course “Fundamentals of National Resistance.” It is included in the curricula of all educational institutions—both public and private—for students pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees (in medical, pharmaceutical, or veterinary fields). Cadets at military educational institutions who are undergoing training under separate programs are an exception.
Practical training sessions to develop skills in firing small arms and other abilities will be conducted at the training grounds of higher military educational institutions, military units of educational institutions, in training units and centers, military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, other components of the security and defense forces, at certified shooting ranges, at shooting ranges and on interactive simulators in compliance with safety regulations.
The law stipulates that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shall develop and approve training programs for instructors tasked with teaching citizens about national resistance. The Command of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shall organize and carry out activities in the temporarily occupied territories in the interests of the resistance movement and monitor their implementation.
This initiative will systematically enhance the population’s readiness for national defense and ensure citizens are prepared for modern national security challenges.
Prior to this, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law reinstating the agreement with the European Union on scientific and technological cooperation. The document allows Ukrainian scientists and technology companies to once again participate in joint projects and research with European partners.
