In certain camps, it seems to be the case of the 'blind leading the blind'. At least, this is the opinion of a Malay trainer who has been with the National Service programme since its inception in 2004.

According to the trainer, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, all the trainers were engaged on a part-time basis and half of them were from government agencies, police and army, NGOs or from the private sector while another half were recruited from the ranks of the unemployed.

"Those who were previously unemployed only joined the programme for the sake of a job and there is a tendency among them to be less committed and this is one factor which had weakened the programme's effectiveness," he said.

He explained that the problem would worsen if the National Service Department decides to go ahead with its plan to convert all part-time trainers to full-timers.

"This will likely trigger a situation where there will be a lack of trainers as many of the 'employed' part-time trainers are not likely to quit their current jobs. The department will then have to recruit more unemployed graduates to fill up the vacancies", he said.

"They (National Service Department) have to ensure the new trainers are well trained and that they must discard their 'money oriented' attitude," he added.

Less disciplinary problems

It is learnt that the minimum qualification for a trainer is a diploma. The policy change will create about 3,000 job vacancies for unemployed graduates.

On why he requested anonymity when interviewed by malaysiakini , he explained that trainers are not allowed to make statement regarding issues in the camp without the approval of the camp commander.

On the positive side, he was happy to note that disciplinary problems in the camps this year had been reduced compared to last year.

This was because there are more trainers now with the trainer-trainees ratio at 1:40 and in some camps, it is 1:20.

"This has largely facilitated the management of trainees", he added.

On another issue, the trainer said it was inappropriate for NS trainees to be forced to attend events organised by the local BN state assemblypersons or MPs in their respective constituencies.

He said that in the module of community service, trainees are required to participate in programmes such as 'gotong royong', voluntary service in Felda estate and visit to military bases.

Community service is one of the five major modules in National Service programme.

NS helps national unity

Meanwhile, a random survey done by Eight Major Chinese Youth Organisations (Emco) shows that around 85 percent of the trainees agree that the programme helps to promote unity and understanding.

Emco's national service co-ordinator Joseph Wang Ai Chua said that next year, the organisation will mobilise graduate trainees to continue their social work by joining Emco or other social organisations.

He also revealed that some Chinese trainees who do not understand Malay could not fully participate in the programme which was conducted in Malay and "Chinese trainers are needed to help in translation".

Wang said that Emco will meet Deputy Education Minister Hon Choon Kim to discuss its proposal of transferring Chinese counsellors in schools to become NS trainers.