PNG govt firm on introducing compulsory military training

Transcript

The Papua New Guinea government says it is firm on introducing compulsory military training for school leavers who can't be placed in universities or colleges.

The prime minister, Peter O'Neill, has announced plans for a Compulsory National Youth Service to combat rising crime.

Mr O'Neill says this will help youth maintain discipline and avoid getting caught up in illegal activities.

Peter O'Neill spoke with Leilani Momoisea about the National Youth Service.

PETER O'NEILL: It's not necessarily a military service, but it's a national service which ends up giving them a mixture of military training and of course skills-based training, which tries to give them the skills to put them in good stead for the future.

LEILANI MOMOISEA: And why is this important?

PO: It is important because we have a large population of school-leavers in the country. Job opportunities are very limited for them and they're very young and running around endlessly doesn't do any good for any society. So we believe that to engage them in a meaningful and disciplined environment will be very good for their own future and for them to establish a solid foundation for their lives. [We would like] compulsory programmes for young men and women who are not able to find places in universities and colleges throughout the country.

LM: So this is for people who have actually finished high school? It's not for people who drop out?

PO: Those who finish in Year 12, we've got compulsory education now. So it will come in right after Year 12 for those who are not able to find positions or places in many of the universities and colleges throughout the country. We are firm on that. We will introduce it in 2015. We are now planning for that implementation.

Peter O'Neill says similar services are implemented in countries including Israel, where it has worked to their advantage. Mr O'Neill says many of the older people will understand services of this sort as it was practised during the colonial era in the 1960s and 1970s. He says the government is now planning for its implementation.