Universal national service: the government's new path to generalize it

Louise Sallé, edited by Gauthier Delomez / Photo credits: Nicolas Guyonnet / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 19:40 pm, May 19, 2023

What will the universal national service (SNU) that President Emmanuel Macron intends to generalize for 15-17 year olds look like? Initially, this system, divided into two phases, offers teenagers the opportunity to participate in a free 12-day "cohesion stay", outside school time. However, a new avenue is being studied by the government, which is looking for a simpler way to set up this UNS. It could still be a 12-day stay, but on school time.

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This track is for the moment only at the stage of reflection. Secretary of State for Youth Sarah El-Hairy is currently holding consultations with teachers' unions. The aim is to extend the SNU to more young people by increasing the possibilities of stay, without making it compulsory.

A universal national service that could be remunerated

In addition to holidays, the universal national service could take place instead of school hours. For example, an entire second class would then spend 12 days in a dedicated center with one of their teachers, who would have submitted a file to register and supervise them. This SNU would be remunerated as part of the additional missions entrusted to teachers at the beginning of the next school year, that is to say the famous pact.

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Nevertheless, the teachers' representatives disapprove of this approach. They are unhappy that the money from the Ministry of National Education can be dedicated to the SNU, and not to the school. Also, the unions regret that it is on school time because they need these 12 days to advance in the program. The government is due to make its final choice in June.