Thank you, Mr. / Mdm.

Speaker,
A very pleasant morning I bid to the wise and diligent adjudicators, precise timekeeper, the opposition
team, my fellow teammates from the government team and members of the house.
My dear opposition team argued that the national service should not be made compulsory for all school
leavers because they believe that the national service causesHowever, it is clear that it does not occur
at a constant basis. They have generalized a happening and made it seem as if it happens every time the
national service is ongoing.
For our teams second point, I am here to present proof that the national service made compulsory
would aid in installing improvements in a society. Compulsory service engenders the appreciation for
freedom. Making the service mandatory will leave men and women alike no choice but to join it. Their
rights would be stripped off for a while, but is it necessarily that bad? It is a definite no. If they have
never had their basic rights taken from them, they will never place a high value on those rights. The
sacrifices their ancestors made to give them those rights would be taken for granted. Take peoples
rights away temporarily and people will start to value what they have more; and they will start to value
their country more. Patriotism will undoubtedly be on the rise. Besides that, it raises the general civic
consciousness of a society. Having already instilled the love for ones country in those who join the
service would make them aware of their responsibilities as a citizen of a country. They would then strive
to make changes which would bring good to the society. The national service fosters collective
conscience, curing social ills along the way. Would you like to see your son or daughter become hard-
working, respectful, disciplined, honorable and prepared for life? Would you like to see crime, teenage
pregnancy and substance abuse rates decline? No, this is not an advertisement for a magic pill; this is an
argument for mandatory national service.
Our third point is that school leavers would reap a lot of benefits from being in the national service.
Being in the national service would undeniably allow school leavers to be independent. You may say that
school leavers will have plenty of chance to be independent when they leave home to further their
studies later. But why not let them learn to be independent now in a controlled environment. Wouldnt
that serve as an assurance that they will be able to take care of themselves while living away from home
when they further their studies? Moreover, you can learn a trade while being in the national service.
You would come out with a trade that would set you up for your future. The national service offers us
many invaluable experiences. Though it may sound clich, the truth it holds can never be overstated.
We cant deny that by joining the service, it would offer young individuals a significant change from past
experiences, a shift in perspective which allows them to observe life from a different view. This would
inspire them to work harder. On top of that, the national service inculcates self-discipline in young
individuals. While being in the national service, participants are required to stick to a rigid schedule.
Everything must be done on time and punishments would be given if you fail to do so. Some may argue
that this is too harsh a treatment on the young people. But reality is much harsher than that. It is simply
a rite of passage that everyone should go through. Young people are also able to improve their soft
skills, leadership skills and ability to work in a team.
Before I step down, let me once again specify that the national service should be made compulsory for
all school leavers. There is no point of any more argument as it is clear that the national service does
indeed bring improvements to a society while benefiting school leavers in the form of invaluable
experiences and skills obtained. With that I rest my case. Thank you.