National defense in the sixth grade: what is this new teaching that is already controversial?

On Thursday, March 26, the National Assembly adopted, in a first reading, the bill presented by Christophe Blanchet aimed at strengthening national defense education. If this text is definitively adopted, its implementation could lead to a modification of school programs.

The current international context is troubled: armed conflicts in Europe or the Middle East, economic interference, risks related to cyber attacks… Faced with these challenges, Modem MP for the 4th district of Calvados, Christophe Blanchet, has proposed a law to teach national defense to middle and high school students. In the explanatory statement of the text defended by Christophe Blanchet, he notes that “since the suspension of compulsory national service in 1997, an increasing number of young people are unaware of the principles and actors of national defense.” The MP also emphasizes that “citizens contribute to the defense and cohesion of the Nation.” Concerned about a potential disconnect between defense and citizens, Christophe Blanchet aims to “allow every young French person to understand the mission of the armed forces, the challenges of sovereignty and resilience, and the role of the citizen in defending the Nation.”

Integrating national defense into schools is a sensitive topic where strong opinions are freely expressed. Christophe Blanchet intends to provide clarity on the boundaries of his text through education.

“The militarization is wearing a uniform with a weapon. But we will not give military uniforms and weapons to young people. So, it is not the militarization of youth,” Blanchet stated. According to the MP, the goal is “to raise awareness of the concept of national defense, which unites us all, how each person protects the country?”

Christophe Blanchet clarifies that his text does not aim to create additional hours of classes to teach national defense. No additional teaching positions will be created for this subject. The MP highlights that “in each subject, awareness can be raised about what national defense is but it is not just about the military.”

“We can teach defense in physics, we can teach national defense in mathematics. But be careful, it is not about saying we will now teach all courses on national defense,” Blanchet explained. For the MP, it is about understanding a world under attack from all sides and fostering patriotism.

“Patriotism is loving France, loving the French language, respecting the national anthem, and respecting the motto ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’. That’s patriotism. Let’s not have shameful patriotism,” Blanchet expressed. Some teaching unions have reacted to these comments if the text is implemented.

The bill presented and voted on March 26, 2026, in the National Assembly is not definitively adopted yet. However, some teaching staff unions have reacted. “For several years, we have been denouncing a militarization of schools, whether through defense classes, contrary to what we advocate, which is empathy and teaching for peace,” said Claire-Marie Ferret, regional secretary of SNES-FSU. She even sees it as an ideological drift.

“There are already ideological offensives in the programs, in some disciplines, notably in history and geography or in economics and social sciences for high school students,” Ferret added. Opposition is even stronger when discussing patriotism. “We are for a school that allows emancipation, a school that allows individuals to make their own choices and develop critical thinking,” Ferret further emphasized.

Just voted on, not yet enacted, the bill proposed by Christophe Blanchet stirs debate.