PETALING JAYA: The government has been urged to establish a National Service (NS) Training Programme Junior to rehabilitate students with serious disciplinary issues and help them rebuild positive values and self-discipline.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad said the initiative could act as
an intervention platform to guide troubled students through structured discipline, physical training and character-building while allowing them to continue their studies under the supervision of experienced teachers.
He said many students fall into cycles of misbehaviour due to overlapping social, family and psychological factors, rather than simply being “bad” or “lazy”.
“Student misbehaviour happens for many reasons. Some misbehave because of poverty as their parents work day and night to survive.
“Some grow up without moral guidance at home while others are influenced by social media, excessive gaming or peers. Every problem requires a different remedy.”
Anuar said instead of expelling troubled students, which merely shifts the problem from classrooms to communities, Malaysia needs a structured intervention system that rebuilds character, discipline and purpose.
“When we suspend or expel a student, the school’s problem is solved, but the child’s problem is not.
“They return to society and continue facing the same negative influences. In many cases, their behaviour worsens.”
He proposed NS Junior, modelled after the national service training for post-Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia youth but adapted for younger students struggling with serious behavioural issues.
He envisions NS Junior as a year-round rehabilitation camp where students spend three months undergoing holistic character and skill-building activities under professional supervision.
“It is not meant to be military. The focus is on rebuilding self-discipline and confidence, and helping them recognise their talents and potential.
“Maybe a student misbehaves because they are not interested in studying, but they might be good at singing, art or sports. In NS Junior, we would identify and nurture that potential.”
Anuar said NS Junior should not replicate the existing programme but instead provide a space in which children could rediscover their abilities and rebuild self-esteem, discipline, communication and respect for others.
He suggested that the programme be managed by the Education Ministry, possibly in collaboration with the Defence Ministry, and staffed by professionals, such as child psychologists, counsellors, retired teachers and motivational trainers.
“It is not a punishment camp. It is a place for self-development.
“Through community service and creative projects, these students could rediscover their self-worth and learn to respect others.”
Anuar also proposed that participants continue their studies during the programme under trained educators, with a strict ban on social media and gaming to break unhealthy habits.
“For three months, they should be fully focused on rebuilding themselves. If they are separated from social media and peer influence during that time, their habits could be corrected,” he said.
He acknowledged that implementing NS Junior would require significant resources but argued that prevention is ultimately cheaper and more effective than cure.
“Yes, it would be difficult and costly. But which is harder: developing NS Junior or building more drug rehabilitation centres and prisons?
“Which is more challenging: managing students now or dealing with the social consequences later?”
Anuar also said current disciplinary approaches, such as warnings, lectures and suspensions, are outdated and ineffective in addressing today’s realities.
“We are still stuck in the old framework of punishment. Counselling sessions are often just half an hour of scolding. Students do not respond to that anymore.
“We need new, bolder solutions that truly engage them.”
He added that a well-structured NS Junior could serve as a “second chance system” for troubled
youth, giving them a controlled environment to rebuild their mindset and reconnect with learning.
“We need to stop merely punishing and start rehabilitating,” he said.
“If we fail to act now, we risk losing a generation of young Malaysians to social problems that could have been prevented.”
