ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state government is planning to require students aged 16 and above to join youth associations or volunteer organisations, says state executive councillor Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.
The Johor youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman said that this initiative aims to give students early exposure to life before they leave school.
He proposed a new transformation for students in Johor, suggesting that those aged 16 and above should participate in their chosen youth organisations or volunteer groups, such as district youth councils or the Southern Volunteers.
This initiative will ensure that this age group does not feel awkward about joining associations or organisations registered with the Registry of Societies (ROS) and the Registrar of Youth Organisations (ROY) in the future.
He said this in response to a question from See Chin Li (Pakatan-Tangkak) about whether the state government plans to establish youth clubs in schools across Johor.
He added that the state government does not intend to set up youth associations or organisations in all schools in the state.
"We are not looking into establishing additional youth clubs as it could potentially add to the existing burden of teachers," he said, noting that the country also faces a shortage of educators.
He added that Johor has nearly two million youths, representing half of the state’s 4.1 million population.
