IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL SERVICE (National education programme)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health how the Ministry of Defence educates full-time National Servicemen and reservists to understand the importance of National Service and not to regard it, as some do, as a waste of time.

Dr Yeo Ning Hong (for the Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, MINDEF has a comprehensive national education programme to educate full-time national servicemen and reservists on the importance of National Service and why they must take military training seriously. The programme begins even long before they are enlisted into the SAF, continues through the period of full-time national service, and extends into their reservist period. Sir, I do not intend to go into the details, but I have asked the Clerk of Parliament to circulate details for the benefit of Members of this House [Copies distributed to Members].

In spite of the efforts put in by MINDEF, outlined in the Addendum (Cols. 1241 - 1242) circulated, there continues to be a sizeable minority of Singaporeans who believe that National Service is a waste of time. This is highly paradoxical in view of the fact that the vast majority, in excess of 96%, believe that defence is essential for Singapore. The people who believe it to be a waste of time include: Addendum - IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL SERVICE (Cols. 1241 - 1242)

(1) Those who are ignorant of the relationship between our defence and our peace, prosperity and security. This, we believe, to be a relatively small group of people.

(2) Those who are naive and believe that peace and security will last forever without the necessity of active efforts in defence; and

(3) Those who know full well the importance of National Service and defence, yet expect others to perform the defence role on their behalf while they enjoy the benefits of peace and prosperity. MINDEF will continue to look for better ways of getting the message across to these people. There is no doubt that without a strong defence force, there will not be a Singapore as we know it.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, is it not true, and I wonder if the Minister is aware, that this particular group of people who regard National Ser- vice as a waste of time includes the so-called intelligentsia, the well educated?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, it is not possible, on the basis of the survey data that is available to us, to determine who form this particular group. But judging from the available data, of what we are able to break down, the suggestions are that the majority of the people who believe National Service to be a waste of time are the people who have a low level of education.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, what about the other end of it, i.e. those with higher education?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: The data appear to suggest that those who have higher education form a lower percentage of people who believe it to be a waste of time. Obviously, as in any group in society, there are always the black sheep.