THE National Service (NS) programme, which was started in 2004, was suspended some months back to allow for a revamp. Now, Parliament has been informed that the cabinet is to decide on a new module for NS soon. The module will include training in technical and vocational skills, specifically targeting school-leavers who are unable to further their studies. The aim is to enhance their employability. Such targeting, however, does not synchronise well with the selection method said to be random, meaning that those most in need of the programme might not actually be picked. This is a structural problem that should not be too difficult to rectify. Selection, for example, would then be based on poor Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia grades and focus on dropouts. Or, retain the random selection method and have the training opportunities be a short-term summer camp experience, which defeats the intended purpose.
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