NS trainees to be ‘YBs’

IN GOOD SPIRIT: Dr Tiki (seated second left) and trainees show the 1Malaysia gesture in a photo call. — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi

Nationalism Module upgraded to enable trainees to speak their mind

KUCHING: All National Service (NS) trainees will get the chance to role play as state representatives beginning next year following the implementation of an improved version of the Nationalism Module.

National Service Training Council chairman Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe said a pilot project conducted at 14 NS training camps showed that the improved module could inculcate patriotism among the youths.

“This module will be introduced at all 81 NS training camps in the country.

“We will train NS trainees to be leaders at the camps, similar to the role of state representatives,” he told reporters at the send-off of a batch of NS trainees for the third series (9/2012) at the Kuching Civic Centre yesterday.

Dr Tiki added that the primary aim in improving the module was to give the younger generation the chance to voice out their opinions.

The older version, he pointed out, emphasised only coursework.

“We felt there is a need to have active interaction between the trainees and trainers. We want feedback from the trainees. The young generation of today has different perception, and they are more courageous to voice out their views,” said Dr Tiki, who is also Mas Gading MP.

On the i-smart and BMI (Body Mass Index) programmes which had been introduced at all camps, he said the council would continue with them.

BON VOYAGE: A mother hugs her daughter who was departing for the Putra Sentosa Camp in Sematan. — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi

TAKE CARE: A trainee pays attention to his parents. — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi.

The i-smart aimed to help slow learners

The i-smart is aimed to help trainees who are slow learners or those who have difficulty learning. They constitute about three to five per cent of the total number of NS trainees.

“Do not be surprised that some of the trainees are unable to read or write although they can speak. The outcome of i-smart, which has been introduced for two months, is quite impressive.”

The BMI programme, he said, was not only meant for those who were overweight.

“We hope the programme will also help those who are underweight to get the reasonable weight.”

A total of 49,000 trainees from throughout the country were selected randomly to participate in this series. Out of this, 4,181 are from Sarawak, and 858 of them would be training in the Peninsula.

Dr Tiki said due to personal reasons such as medical problems or education, only 70 per cent of the national figure was expected to report for the three-month training.

On a related matter, he said Terengganu would have two new training camps.

“About 10 to 11 training camps were asked to close last year because they failed to comply with the required standards,” he said, adding that these camps would be allowed to re-open after the requirements were met.

Sumber:theborneopost