Mindef is going back to the basics in its policy of allowing deferments from National Service for school leavers.
Starting December last year, no more deferments are allowed for those who want to pursue a university degree, be it local or overseas.
Those pursuing basic qualifications like 'A' levels, polytechnic diploma or below, are still allowed to apply for deferment under certain criteria.
Male Singaporeans begin their National Service at the earliest opportunity once they turn 18 years old.
But Mindef has been granting deferments to certain categories, like those starting full-time study before 18 years old in the case of local courses and before 17-1/2 years old for overseas courses.
Deferment has also been granted for those pursuing 'A' level and polytechnic diploma courses if a person is able to start the course before he turns 19 as at January 1 of the year the course commences.
But now Mindef has decided to rationalise its deferment policy based on operational needs and the primary goal of National Service.
Speaking in parliament, Second Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said: "In rationalising our policy, it is understood that NS is a sacrifice which may mean that Singaporeans would have to defer their university studies till after they have completed their National Service.
"We applied the principle of universality, equity to ensure that everyone within the same cohort receives the more or less the same treatment in allowing them to attain their educational qualifications."
Dr Ng went on to say: "Educational opportunities have expanded exponentially in the past few years. We now have a proliferation of institutions with a variety of modules in Singapore.
"New compressed integrated courses have also been introduced, so that students could theoretically start anytime within the year.
"The opportunities to study abroad and at different times of the year have also increased as Singaporeans have become more affluent. Many more Singaporeans would be able to start universities or other courses before ages 17-1/2 abroad or 18 locally. It is therefore no longer tenable to grant deferments based on past criteria."
"Therefore, Mindef will only grant deferment for pre-enlistees to gain their basic educational qualifications of 'A' levels, polytechnic diploma, or below. This is reasonable as most of our 18-year-old NS enlistees would either have completed their basic qualification programme or are about to complete it," Dr Ng said.
"As university degrees are considered higher educational qualifications, deferments for university studies will no longer be allowed. This new policy for deferments has been in place from the end of last year," he added.
As for those who would want to pursue their university education overseas, the Defence Ministry says the vast majority would not be affected by the changes to the deferment policy.
Under the old policy, less than a 100 a year were granted deferment for university studies.
Another group to benefit from the new policy are those enrolled in the Institute of Technical Education.
They can now proceed to study for their polytechnic diploma before they enlist.
This is provided they are below 20 years old as at January 1 of the year their course begins.
Mindef has also decided to allow in-service disruption for national servicemen with ITE qualifications to pursue their polytechnic diploma course - a basic educational qualification - if they meet the specified criteria.
Close to 500 NSF men are expected to benefit from this change.
Besides ensuring a fighting-fit army, Mindef has also kept the SAF up-to-date with the latest technology like the pocket-sized portable, remote-controlled surveillance ball - which is equipped with cameras, microphones, sensors - and other equipment.
The surveillance ball can be rolled or tossed into target areas for information gathering without putting servicemen in physical danger.
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