Sunday, April 23, 2006

Trainee Dies In NS Camp Brawl

That is the headline in the New Sunday Times 23 April 2006.

I guess this tragedy was just waiting to happen after all the previous news about the shortcomings in the camps - attempted rapes, salary not being paid, trainess being bullied etc. The whole scheme seems to be plagued by problems from day one.
It was a very noble idea to have this scheme supposedly to integrate the youths of the country more cohesively. How do you expect a few months togetherness to bring that elusive harmony and integration when the main racial issues is still swept under the carpet.
Just look at our education policy. The moment a child enters school, he is made aware of how different he is from others not of the same race or religion. There are no concerted effort to ensure that these differences are not barriers to integration. Instead, we see overzealous teachers who go out of their way to strengthen the common misperceptions that we have of each other.

Condolences to the family and others who are sending their children to the NS camps.

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