The news
that the National Service (NS) training programme may be made
compulsory for all secondary school leavers in future can be seen as
a positive move in the right direction. The current short stint has
its weaknesses as it is a herculean task to meet all the objectives
of the programme in that short span of time.
As we all know, the trainees come from
different backgrounds and trying to gel this hodge-podge of youths is
no easy matter. The main objective of instilling the spirit of
patriotism and nationalism in them is not a simple task when one has
been brought up in different educational environments. Schools are
still the best place to instill those traits in everyone but
unfortunately our current education system is in a mess.
The priorities of giving the best to
all has not been achieved yet and there is still a lot to be done.
One of the main complaints regarding the national school system is
the perceived sub-standard education received by students who
enrolled in them. That reason alone has seen a proliferation of
private schools and the exodus of students joining them. We must also
not discount the increasing number of students in Chinese schools
which have a solid track record in producing high achievers.
Different schools with different
outlooks does not make a united nation. The National Service
programme will not be able to undo easily the lessons learnt for the
past 17 years of someone's lives. Nationalism and patriotism are not
instant values that can be inculcated in three months. There has been
of course positive feedback from many trainees who enjoyed themselves
during the sojourn. Some have even made friends with others from
other backgrounds and continue that friendship after leaving the
camps.
Shouldn't that camaraderie and esprit
de corps been nurtured since they started their first year in school?
We must look again and ponder whether one school for all can help
without waiting until the child has reached their teens to instill
those values. One school of excellence.
Image from luharu
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