The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has officially opened the fourth batch of the National Service Initial Training programme, with 352 young people taking part.
Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy inaugurated the programme at a ceremony on the morning of 24 October at the Composite Training Centre in Maafilaafushi, Lhaviyani Atoll, the MNDF said. Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu attended as a special guest.
According to the MNDF, the trainees are 288 men and 64 women from 125 islands across 20 atolls. They reported to Maafilaafushi on 13 October, and the training will run for 14 weeks.
What the training covers
The MNDF said the course teaches national identity, responsible citizenship, religious education, leadership and language proficiency, alongside physical fitness training and drill aimed at building discipline.
Trainees will also learn first aid, firefighting and self-defence, take part in camp activities and receive an introduction to military training.
Those who complete the course will receive a National Service Initial Training completion certificate, while those who meet all standards in the curriculum will be awarded a Certificate 3 in Civil Education and Leadership. Separate certificates will be given for passing the firefighting and first aid modules, the MNDF said.
A presidential policy
The MNDF described the programme as a policy launched at the initiative of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to build responsible, physically fit young people of strong faith, and said it was a key pillar of the "building people" agenda he set out in his inaugural address.
At the ceremony, instructors took their oath and the cadets made their pledge, the MNDF said.