The Department of Defense Education Activity is introducing a new course this fall in schools it runs for children of U.S. military families, emphasizing Western civilization and Christianity. The change is part of an education redirection effort associated with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aiming to increase focus on patriotic values and classical learning.
The Korea Times reports that the Defense Education Activity operates about 160 schools in 11 countries, serving roughly 70,000 students. It says the Western civilization course will use a textbook from Encounter Books and includes suggested lesson plans developed with Hillsdale College, a Michigan-based institution with conservative Christian education materials. The outlet also notes that conservatives view these federally run schools as a potential “testing ground” for reshaping education.
The Washington Times similarly describes the initiative but places more emphasis on the shift in course content toward Western civilization and Christianity. Across accounts, the dispute is not over whether the course is planned, but over the broader implications and who may benefit from the effort to change education priorities.
