BERLIN 

Germany's Federal Interior Ministry has proposed introducing civil defense lessons in schools to prepare students for potential crises and wars, local media reported Monday.

According to the Handelsblatt daily, the ministry has informed the federal states — which are responsible for developing and implementing school curricula — that it is ready to provide experts and teaching materials for such courses.

“Given the recent changes in the security landscape, we need to place greater emphasis on civil defense, particularly within school education,” a ministry spokesman told the newspaper.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a senior conservative lawmaker, emphasized the importance of crisis training for schoolchildren.“It is imperative that emergency situations are practiced, because students are particularly vulnerable and particularly affected in an emergency,” he said.

As part of its awareness-raising initiatives, the Interior Ministry also urged citizens to follow recent EU recommendations and stockpile three days' worth of water, food, and other essential supplies in preparation for potential crises.

“It is important that citizens have emergency supplies at home to deal with various emergency situations, to help themselves, their families, and those around them, and even save lives in an emergency,” said the Interior Ministry spokesman.

The proposal comes amid heightened concerns about Russia's military capabilities and intentions. Germany's top general Carsten Breuer warned last month that Russia would be capable of launching an attack on a NATO country within the next four to seven years.