Risk education for youth should be mandatory

Tamara Plokha, Director of Kamyanske Higher Vocational School in Ukraine, explains the importance of risk education awareness sessions conducted by an Humanity & Inclusion (HI) partner at her school in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: 

“We have about 500 students who start the curriculum after 9th grade. They are 14 or 15 years old. They train for a wide range of technical professions, such as electric gas welding, electrical work, locomotive driving, rolling stock repair, and crane operation, including roles in metallurgical production…” 

Teaching young people to stay safe 

Classes on landmine safety and civil protection are more critical than ever. It is especially important to work with teenagers, as their natural curiosity puts them at higher risk of ending up in dangerous situations. Recent incidents highlight the urgent need for this education. 

A single session is not enough; safety messages need to be repeated regularly. Students may miss or forget key information, so ongoing classes are essential to build safe habits and ensure they know how to react in hazardous situations. 

A strong interest from students  

Students show strong interest in the training. They ask many questions, share things they have seen on social media, and are clearly engaged with the topic. 

Our goal is to help students recognize hazards before they become emergencies and to act calmly when faced with danger. Young people must first understand the risks they face and know how to respond if they encounter dangerous objects - whether in a yard, on a sports field, or in public spaces. 

They often ask questions such as: “Is it true that anti-vehicle mines are not dangerous for humans?” and “Do old munitions still pose a threat if the explosive material has degraded over time?” They are very curious and eager to learn.