Specific area mandatory service undemocratic: Shahid

According to the President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Abdulla Shahid, mandatory service in specific fields is an undemocratic practice.

The opposition party leader’s comments have come after Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced plans to launch the National Service Program – a nationwide initiative, mandating youths without employment or academic credentials serve in security services.

Muizzu promised the program will be enforced by law, and added the initiative promotes a more inclusive society by granting youths, who have been isolated from the work force, the opportunity to serve their nation.

In response to this, Shahid in a post on X said that the enlistment of academic individuals is crucial in enhancing contemporary services from security forces.

Shahid said that the true essence of ensuring a hopeful future is by facilitating more career advancement and training opportunities for youngsters who do not fare desirably in their O-Level examinations.

The MDP leader also underscored the presence hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic youths willing to join security forces on their own volition without any influences, and stressed that mandating service in specific fields was not a democratic principle.

He also stressed the importance of enhancing capacity and skills development opportunities and resource facilitation for the development of a productive future generation.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu, while speaking at the ceremony held on Monday evening to officially unveil the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), said parents wished for their children not to become relegated in society despite their academic performances. The minister’s statements reflected President Muizzu’s announcement of the program.

The minister further said that this wish of the parents has already been achieved during the first year of the current government.