September 10, 2008
Ender's game
Way back when I was in high school, military training for all fourth year high school students was mandatory through the Citizen's Military Training (CMT) program. For college-level students, it was mandatory only for males through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, though some young women joined the program too. I don't know if CMT is still required, but I do know that ROTC isn't anymore. In 2002, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 9163 which established the National Service Training Program (NSTP). Nowadays, college students can choose how they can best serve Philippine society. Tutoring public school students, training out-of-school youth, helping build low-cost housing, sweeping and cleaning public areas, and serving in public day-care or medical centers are just some of the many projects that colleges and universities have set up for their students, always in partnership with various government agencies. Of course, they can still choose to join the ROTC and prepare themselves to defend their country. These young students did—I saw them training in a field during one Saturday afternoon. And yes, the kid in the middle saw me and smiled for the camera (you can enlarge the photo to see him by clicking on the image).
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18 comments:
It's great to hear that young people are encouraged to supprt civic programmes and to give help in the community.
"Enders Game": I smiled when I saw the title. This was my son's absolute favourite book..
I like the public service requirement - I wonder why we don't do that here.
nice post hilda! I used to be a non commissioned officer during my PMT stint in high school. That was a fun and memorable experience. =)
Yeah the public service requirement is a great idea. Even though when I was in high school I probably would not have liked it!
Hey really nice blog! I also have one, www.trierer.blogg.se if you want to visit sometime, and tell me what U think of my blog :)
leo
INteresting information, Hilda. And the smile just makes this photo pop!
un beau post et que de souvenir pour toi.
a beautiful post and that of remembrance for you.
I missed out on the CAT. The nuns didn't want us to do it. Bummer.
Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your kind comments.
joy
A Pinay In England
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I, Woman
I love ROTC!
That is a good idea, making national service optional but requiring some other community-oriented service instead. We could learn from that.
there is still defacto mandatory ROTC in a few government colleges (PUP is one of them) and even a few private colleges force some students into ROTC so they can meet their quota. and there are attempts by the military and their allies in the House to bring back mandatory ROTC, so we have to remain vigilant.
By the way ROTC cadets in the Philippines receive no pay, and even have to pay for their own uniforms!!
I do like the idea of civic service. Maybe I am a fragile little daisy (hem) but I must confess that seeing young kids in a military environment is a little scary to me.
This is very interesting - we did have this in Australia many years ago but no longer.
That is a very interesting post! It's good to know about civic programmes in other countries.
Thanks for all of your visits to my blogs, Hilda. I do appreciate it though I sometimes do not come around as often as I would like.
I read your post, with great interest, because I think it is the right thing to do especially if the government gets involved in paying for or helping pay for college or university education. In those cases I believe the debt should be erased after several years of military service or some other similar service.
I liked your photo and your story and did note that some of the guys are looking at you with a big grin on their faces. They must like what they see behind the camera. LOL.
Oh, and I see several ladies in the group. I did not see them before. They are in the third and fourth rows.
Interesting concept. I think this would terrify our young people. The idea of giving up there time to do something constructive.
Interesting concept. I think this would terrify our young people. The idea of giving up there time to do something constructive.
I like the idea of diversified ways of community service. ROTC is only one way, and this is a great shot.
I dated a guy in ROTC (we called them Rotsees) in college. I remember watching their rapelling practice down the walls of the univerity buildings.
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