by Yasmin Niepelt and Nur Zuriana (Hong Kah Secondary School), SG United Journalists
THEY occupied two tables among the many at the National Community Engagement Programme (CEP) Seminar in April. But their voices stood out among the adults and the CEP community leaders. The SG United journalists asked the student representatives from the junior colleges present for their comments at the sidelines of the seminar.
“I thought CEP was something the Government came up with after terrorist attacks but after attending it, I realised that CEP actually has many levels of involvement for the nation,” said Trudy Chua from the National Junior College.
Cheong Ho Yeung of Anglo Chinese Junior College commented that the seminar was informative and educational, but felt that it was slightly irrelevant for students like them as there was no direct follow-up programme for the youths.
Other student representatives suggested a camp or a day activity be organised for the youths instead of just attending seminars.
Speak up: A student representative from the Hwa Chong Institution shared with everyone his thoughts on the CEP during the panel discussion. (Photo: Loh Jin Feng)
In his opening speech, DPM and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng spoke of the SG United Journalists’ Club that has been started for students. That is part of the outreach to youths on a more sustained basis. He also asked the CEP Secretariat to start a youth version of the Community Engagement Executive Development Programme (CEED). During the briefing, the CEP Secretariat also spoke of plans for a SG United Jamboree to involve youths.
Loh Soon Hui of Temasek Junior College observed that the "majority of the teenagers don’t actually read the news. Youths should be aware about CEP." She suggested that there be more discussion, and less information dissemination in schools.
Fikri Iskandar from Millenia Institute gave another perspective, believing that "the people will still find out other ways to attend to real emergencies naturally, without being told,” even without the CEP.
