Media unwelcome at school during army event: tanks on the playground of Zug primary school

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It was an unusual sight. On Wednesday morning, several military vehicles drove to the playground of the Kirchmatt primary school in Zug, including a Piranha wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, a Duro GMTF and a medical vehicle. They were all part of a controversial event: schoolchildren between the ages of 7 and 12 would be introduced to the Swiss army.

The children examined the vehicles, operated the turret and handled guns. One girl targeted others who ran away screaming. A reprimand was given: you only aim at things you want to hit.

Consequences of reporting

The response of those responsible indicates how controversial the campaign is. Organizer Daniel Gruber made it clear to the “Messenger from Urschweiz” that the media were not welcome at the event. When reporting it, he even threatened legal consequences.

There is no public interest because it is a private and class-internal matter. It is said that Gruber has even threatened to be deported by members of the military, especially from a public school environment.

The Swiss army is also showing restraint. No further background information about the occasion is available. Compared to “20 Minutes” it only says that a commander made the vehicles available.

“If you press here, fifty people will be dead.”

Director Dominik Lehner defends the campaign to the newspaper as part of the ‘Professions’ topic, which is intended to introduce students to different areas of work. “To ensure that learning is as authentic as possible, several parents come into the classroom and introduce their profession,” he says. “These types of actions make our school come alive.”

The example of a so-called claymore mine showed how difficult it is to provide child-friendly information. One of the army members asked another: “How do you explain this to the children? If you press here, fifty people will be dead?”

Director Lehner says that in Switzerland you see armed soldiers who, for example, travel home from duty by public transport. “This can always cause irritation in children,” he says.

The event is supported by government councilor Laura Dittli (33). It is important to increase awareness of the military among the population, Zug’s security director said. This is especially important given declining recruitment numbers: “In about ten years, many of these kids will be allowed to go to recruit school.” (dab)

Source:Blick