NSMEN (Application for deferment from in-camp training)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many NSmen applied for deferment from in-camp training in 1994 and the first six months of 1995 and how many of such applications were approved; and (b) what are the criteria for granting such approvals and whether the rules will be liberalised.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence (Mr Matthias Yao Chih) (for the Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1994, 10,213 NSmen applied for deferment from their in-camp training. Of these, 6,842 applicants or 67% were granted deferment. In the first six months of 1995, 4,813 applied and 2,810 or 58% were granted deferment.

For the SAF to be an effective fighting force, NSmen should always train together in their own unit throughout their NS training cycle. When an NSman is absent from a particular training programme, the effectiveness of his unit is reduced. Unit cohesion is also degraded. As a result, operational readiness suffers. MINDEF therefore does not grant deferment from in-camp training unless there are good and valid reasons for such deferment. Applications for deferment are considered on the merits of each case. Grounds for deferment include marriage and honeymoon, birth of a child, medical reasons, examinations and compassionate reasons, such as serious illness or death of a next-of-kin.

Deferment is generally not given on grounds of work commitment as NSmen are given the notification for in-camp training at least six months in advance. Only in cases of NSmen who are establishing a new business or starting on a new job would deferment be granted.

Our current deferment policy meets the twin objectives of ensuring the operational readiness of the SAF and giving due consideration to the civilian obligations of individual NSman where possible. MINDEF will continue to fine-tune our deferment policy to meet changing circumstances where necessary.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, one of the grounds for deferment is to take examinations. If a candidate is enroled in a private school and he wants to take examination through a private school, will he get deferment?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, there are many kinds of institutions. Some private schools are registered with the Ministry of Education while some are not. There are clear guidelines as to which candidate will be given deferment and this is always consistently applied. So whether a particular candidate from a particular private school will be granted deferment, I will not be able to say at this moment. But there are guidelines provided.

Mr Chiam See Tong: In the case where a private student is taking, say, an external examination through a private school, will he get deferment?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, again, I am not able to answer this specific question because I have to know the institution concerned and whether it is registered with the Ministry of Education.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I am talking about a private school. It is obviously not registered with the Ministry of Education. There are private law tutors in Singapore and there are certain other private schools that cater for external examinations. They must of course be registered and certified to run a school. But I do not know what he meant by "connected" with the Ministry of Education.

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, may I suggest that he raise a question addressing a particular institution and I will be able to answer him. Otherwise, we will just spend the rest of the day answering a hypothetical case.