I would like to bring up some problems overlooked by the government in coordinating the national service training programme, and their failure to ensure it does not interfere with the studies of those who are selected.

First of all, the government has overlooked the problems faced by students from private secondary schools. Private secondary schools run a six-year education system, where students will sit for their Unified Examination Certificate in senior middle three. This causes a problem for those selected, currently in senior middle two, who will be sitting for their UEC next year. Upon completion of national service, they will be left with a mere five months to finish their course.

(The three-month national service programme is held over two terms: from Feb 16 to May 2, and from March 22 to June 13. Matriculation and Lower Six students will then commence classes on May 10 and 15 respectively.)

The same applies to students for matriculation and foundation programs overseas. For instance, the Australian Matriculation and the South Australian Matriculation commence on January. Students will sit for their examinations in December. Then they will join the February intake for Australian universities. However, those called up for national service will have to defer their studies by one year.

The deferment option is also problematic for A-Levels student. Commencing studies in January, they will sit their exams in July the following year. National service candidates will however, only get to start their A-Levels programme in July - six months later - and will sit their exams in December the following year. Then, they have to wait another nine months, since the intake for UK universities is in September.

Alternatives for scholarship students remain undisclosed. As I am lucky to have been shortlisted for the Asean scholarship selection test, I was able to find this out through briefings by representatives of Singapore's Education Ministry. The representatives from Singapore revealed that they have not heard any news from the Malaysian government on arrangements for Asean scholars should they be called-up for national service.

I am disappointed that there has been no arrangements by the authorities to ensure that the national service programme does not interfere with one's studies. I hope the responsible parties will look into the matter.