Current NS intake records 90% participation

16/01/2010

By PUVANESWARY DEVINDRAN

KUCHING: The current intake for National Service (NS) recorded 90% participation, said council chairman Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe.

He described the figure as an encouraging jump from the average 70% to 80% attendance figure previously recorded.

“It shows parents are more accepting of the programme and are confident about sending their children for NS training.

“We are also getting more requests from parents and even from youths who were not selected to be included into the programme,” he told reporters after launching NS training for the first group in the seventh series at Puncak Permai Camp at Tondong Bau near here.

Dr Tiki said 30,781 of the 38,000 youths selected turned up to report at 79 camps nationwide.

On the absent 10%, he said some were unfit, some had started their higher education while others were held up by other reasons.

On how NS trainees and camps could help in times of natural crisis such as floods, Dr Tiki said NS camps located in flood-prone areas could serve as evacuation centres.

He added that a few camps had opened their doors to nearby residents whose homes were inundated during the floods last year.

“But we will not incorporate a specific module on flood rescue, as this will only distract them from the main objective of national service,” he said.

He added that the main objective of NS was to promote unity among the races.

“However, there is a module on volunteerism to help the community in times of crisis.

“This module is also useful as it helps to prepare those who intend to specialise in specific areas of rescue operations after their stint in NS,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/16/nation/5487803&sec=nation

Students turn on teacher

Jan16 by pspbtp

16/01/2010

By ANN TAN

NIBONG TEBAL: A teacher who ticked off three students ended up being slapped and attacked with plastic chairs.

South Seberang Prai OCPD Supt Shafien Mamat said the teacher slapped one of the students on his face and he slapped her back.

He said the SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman teacher lodged a report on Tuesday, claiming she was attacked by the 16-year-old students.

“According to her, she was teaching a class when the group from another class came in and started making noise.”

“She asked them to leave and not disturb the class but they defied her by raising their voice and asking what she could do to them if they refused to leave,” he said.

Supt Shafien said the teacher then slapped one of the students. They retaliated by throwing chairs at her.

The three students have been suspended for two weeks pending a police investigation.

It is learnt that they have received demerit points on several occasions for various offences in school.

Supt Shafien said police were investigating the case for criminal intimidation and causing hurt.

State Education director Ibrahim Mohamad said the students’ parents could appeal against the suspension.

The principal of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman, who only wanted to be known as Ng, said the teacher suffered slight injuries and had been on medical leave for the past two days.

State NUTP branch chairman Lim Ming Tzong @ Adam Alim Abdullah said he hoped the students would be expelled.

“It is sad that many school heads, instead of taking strong action againts students with disciplinary problems, ask them to transfer to another school instead,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/16/nation/5487802&sec=nation