After more than six years since the introduction of the three-month national service program (which started in December 2003), we constantly heard of numerous teething problems reported by the media. But the recent revelation by Council Chairman on the occurrence of fights in camps among participants principally due to cultural differences raise lots of questions to the perceived achievement of the program’s objective.
- Develop a young generation who are patriotic and with love and devotion for their country
- Enhance unity among the multi-racial communities in the country
- Instill a spirit of caring and volunteerism among society
- Produce an active, intelligent and confident generation
- Develop positive characteristics among the younger generation through good values
But the recent revelations proved that there is still a long way towards the achievement of those stipulated objectives. The program must be seriously reviewed so as the allocated funds for the program would not gone to waste.
In my own personal opinion, it is vey difficult to change the mindset, perceptions and outlook of the participants within a short period of time through the various team building exercises under the program. If we want to mould our future generation that is united, patriotic and caring, it has to start from small. The set up of our society especially in education does not promote unity. From the kindergarten days, we have all type of kindergartens that goes along racially/religious track. Then comes the schooling years (9 to 12 years), where again the system allows/encourages racial disintegration among the races through the existence of national and vernacular schools. So from the young age (5 – 18 years), the children have been mould to be among their race, should we thus be surprise at the occurrence of so-called “misunderstanding” among the races and not forgetting the urban/rural divide.
Perhaps, now the proponents of the national Service Program should now revisit the program and come up with a more holistic approach which would ensure the attainment of the stated objective.
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