Saturday June 7, 2008

A trainee’s account on the NS programme

IWAS among the 100,000 trainees selected for the National Service programme in 2007. I am writing in to provide insights regarding the recent backlash against the programme.

First of all, I would disagree if anyone were to ask me whether it was a waste of time spending three months completing my service stint. However, I do not think that I have greatly benefited from the programme either.

It is a matter of opportunity cost. The programme was not superb. Hence, I would probably have gained more if I had spent the three months studying or working. In spite of that, I am glad that I was selected because it provided me a chance to unravel the jigsaw of pluralism in Malaysia’s society and to voice out my personal views regarding the programme.

This programme has succeeded in attaining some of the objectives, namely developing positive values, volunteerism and gaining confidence among the teenagers. However, it has failed to achieve its main objective – to instil patriotism and promote racial unity.

It is a frail attempt to inculcate these virtues in a short period of three months. I would not deny that to some, it may have succeeded, but to most of us, it has failed.

I am a living example here. It is a total fabrication if I were to say that I am a more patriotic person after completing my service. Frankly, I am still the same old person who loves my country. Furthermore, I was saddened because inter-racial friendship merely existed superficially for most of the trainees.

Most of the trainees were inclined to mix with their own race. True inter-racial ties which were built during the training is a rarity compared to friendship among people of same races.

For year 2008, only 110,000 out of 484,909 were selected for the programme. Does it imply that for every year, only 20% of our teenagers are required to foster patriotism and racial unity? I am totally bewildered.

I think that the government should consider revamping the education system instead if they are seriously committed in sowing the seeds of unity.

The trainees are at least 18 years old and I think that it is a bit too late to change their mindset. If they only had friends of their same race for the past 18 years, would you think they would foster close friendship with people of other races abruptly?

Regarding the compelling issues of healthcare and death in training camps, I think that most parties have neglected the most important cause – peer pressure. Teenagers nowadays have very high self-esteem and are very image conscious. This causes them to hide their health problems until it has become severe.

They are living in a large community there. So, it is a social imperative for them to endure every illness in order to prevent themselves from being regarded as trouble-risers and ostracised by their peers.

The health problem is further hastened by poor nutrition in the camp. The problem is the failure of relevant parties to ensure that the caterers' compliance with the health and nutrition requirements.

For those camps plagued with the plight of food poisoning, I think that it could be eradicated if the trainers were made to have the same meal together with the trainees, as what my camp was practising. This is to prevent the caterers from being negligent on the hygiene of the food.

Spot-checks should also be conducted frequently. Specific guidelines about types of food that should be served must be established to ensure that trainees are provided with adequate nutrition and balanced diet.

I would also like to call for a review to reallocate the time slot for physical activities. I am wondering why the government is ignorant on this issue. Even a kindergarten boy can tell that it is totally illogical for physical activities to be conducted in the afternoon because of the tropical climate.

Maximum temperature could reach up to 35°C during dry spells. This certainly puts the trainees at higher risk. The problem is further escalated with the inclusion of water-borne activities which increase the exposure of trainees to conditions which spread diseases easily.

Finally, I seriously hope that the government would review the firearms training. I think that it is only a gimmick to please teenagers such as me. It merely provides few minutes' surge of adrenalin at the cost of hard-earned taxpayer’s money.

I think the money could be allocated elsewhere in a more constructive way such as better accommodation or facilities. Besides, it leads to violent behaviour as it unintentionally gives teenagers a subliminal impression that conflicts could be solved by violence, if necessary.

We are living in the 21st century now and I think that it is always more important to educate teenagers that the main priority to solve conflicts is always by solving it peacefully.

YOUNG CONCERNED MALAYSIAN,

Johor Baru.

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