the principle of equity posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006
I refer to the letters 'Give Ike a chance to pursue his dreams' and 'Mindef should grant teen violinist NS deferment' (ST, May 17).
Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singaporeans and Permanent Residents are liable to serve National Service upon reaching 18 years of age. However, Mindef has exercised flexibility by not insisting that all NS-liable males enlist immediately upon turning 18.
In determining when a person is to be enlisted, Mindef considers two main factors: the need to preserve equity in terms of educational attainment before NS, and the need to enlist NS-liable males for rigorous military training while they are young and fit.
Mindef has therefore allowed students to attain educational qualifications up to 'A' level, polytechnic diploma or their equivalent before requiring them to serve NS.
Students taking up such courses may be granted deferment from NS for a reasonable amount of time until the completion of their courses.
NS-liable males will therefore be enlisted at the earliest opportunity after turning 18 or when they have finished such courses.
Mindef is prepared to grant deferment to pursue university studies under very exceptional circumstances. Such cases are rare and can only be considered when there are exceptionally strong reasons.
Mindef has to ensure that the principle of equity is upheld when considering applications for deferment so as to uphold the commitment of the vast majority who dutifully fulfill their NS obligations before pursuing university studies.
This issue was thoroughly debated in Parliament in March and the principles under which equity is maintained for national service were reaffirmed.
In the case of See Ian Ike, Mindef has given due consideration to his appeal. However, we are unable to accede to his request for deferment to pursue his university studies before NS.
To do so would be unfair to others who have put their personal aspirations and goals on hold to serve NS when called upon to do so.
Mr See may wish to consider applying to enlist for NS earlier, under Mindef's Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme (VEES).
This will allow him to complete his full-time NS earlier and proceed for further studies thereafter. He may contact the Central Manpower Base at 63733120.
Col Benedict Lim
Director, Public Affairs
Ministry of Defence
--
May 25, 2006, The Straits Times
I refer to the letters 'Give Ike a chance to pursue his dreams' and 'Mindef should grant teen violinist NS deferment' (ST, May 17).
Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singaporeans and Permanent Residents are liable to serve National Service upon reaching 18 years of age. However, Mindef has exercised flexibility by not insisting that all NS-liable males enlist immediately upon turning 18.
In determining when a person is to be enlisted, Mindef considers two main factors: the need to preserve equity in terms of educational attainment before NS, and the need to enlist NS-liable males for rigorous military training while they are young and fit.
Mindef has therefore allowed students to attain educational qualifications up to 'A' level, polytechnic diploma or their equivalent before requiring them to serve NS.
Students taking up such courses may be granted deferment from NS for a reasonable amount of time until the completion of their courses.
NS-liable males will therefore be enlisted at the earliest opportunity after turning 18 or when they have finished such courses.
Mindef is prepared to grant deferment to pursue university studies under very exceptional circumstances. Such cases are rare and can only be considered when there are exceptionally strong reasons.
Mindef has to ensure that the principle of equity is upheld when considering applications for deferment so as to uphold the commitment of the vast majority who dutifully fulfill their NS obligations before pursuing university studies.
This issue was thoroughly debated in Parliament in March and the principles under which equity is maintained for national service were reaffirmed.
In the case of See Ian Ike, Mindef has given due consideration to his appeal. However, we are unable to accede to his request for deferment to pursue his university studies before NS.
To do so would be unfair to others who have put their personal aspirations and goals on hold to serve NS when called upon to do so.
Mr See may wish to consider applying to enlist for NS earlier, under Mindef's Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme (VEES).
This will allow him to complete his full-time NS earlier and proceed for further studies thereafter. He may contact the Central Manpower Base at 63733120.
Col Benedict Lim
Director, Public Affairs
Ministry of Defence
--