Drone Training Set to Become Part of Belarus's 10th-Grade Curriculum

Drone Operation Added to Belarusian School Curriculum

According to Radiotrek — Світ: In the upcoming school year, tenth graders in Belarus will receive hands-on instruction in piloting unmanned aerial vehicles. The curriculum changes give boys a 10-hour course on drone technology and control, while girls will see a broader practical component in medical preparation, with tactical medicine added to the program. These updates are part of the revamped "pre-conscription and medical training" subject, which is being redesigned to emphasize real-world skills over theoretical knowledge.

Military Instruction Gains Ground in Belarus and Russia

Deputy Education Minister Alexander Kadlubay said that 10-day field training exercises will be mandatory for Belarusian tenth graders in 2026. The Ministry of Education is also working with military unit 5448 in Minsk, home to an Internal Troops brigade, and plans to apply the experience gained there in other regions of the country.

Military-patriotic groups are now opening in Belarusian kindergartens, and schools and colleges host military-patriotic clubs. Taken together, these steps show a rising emphasis on military readiness among the country's youth.

In Russia, similar changes are underway. From September 1, the course "Fundamentals of National Security and Defense" will raise the share of military training from 20% to 50%. The course consists of 34 hours per year, with at least 17 hours set aside for basic military training, including drone operations and field exercises.

The educational shifts in Belarus and Russia point to a stronger military component in schooling and may shape new generations with a clear orientation toward military service and defense. Given current geopolitical challenges, these programs can be understood as an effort to prepare young people for potential conflict in the region.