Notfalls - Landtag for more First-Aid courses at schools
Over the First Aid courses at schools in Schleswig-Holstein, a new debate has emerged. The SSW is demanding mandatory teaching hours for students. "In the first place, it should be about recognizing an emergency and calling for help," said Deputy Christian Dirschauer. If procedures are practiced, everyone would benefit in an emergency. According to the intentions of the opposition faction, there should be mandatory First Aid trainings for at least two school hours per week at comprehensive schools.
Both the CDU and Green government factions are also advocating for a change proposal for more First Aid courses at schools. The state government should examine whether and how, in cooperation with rescue services, a requirement for a First Aid course in the ninth or tenth classes for all students with refreshers in the upper classes can be implemented, it states there.
Cost Question
Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) considers this a challenge. "Because we need people to do it," Prien said and made a clear appeal to the deputies: Two hours for a year group cost 800,000 Euro per year in the budget. "And these resources must be made available." It is important to offer age-appropriate options, so that students are sensitized early but not overburdened.
Dirschauer emphasized that most people feel uncertain in an emergency. In Denmark, reanimation instruction has been compulsory since 2005. "Since then, the lay reanimation rate there has increased from 20% in the year 2000 to 60% in the year 2020." It is obvious that early training leads to more readiness and ability to act. "In our proposal, we therefore not only demand a First Aid training with reanimation measures from the eighth grade at the earliest, but also a general, age-appropriate First Aid training from the primary school."
The CDU, led by Education Minister Karin Prien, is facing a budget challenge in implementing the increased First Aid courses at schools as proposed by both the CDU and Green government factions. In response to the SSW's demand for mandatory two-hour weekly First Aid trainings, Prien highlighted the financial implications, stating that 800,000 Euro would be required annually for each year group. The SSW, led by Deputy Christian Dirschauer, argues that this investment would be beneficial, citing Denmark's increase in lay reanimation rates from 20% in 2000 to 60% in 2020 after making reanimation instruction compulsory in schools.
