The BDF and ministry of youth response to the monitor questionnaire

| Monday March 4, 2013 00:00

Answer:The youth are not undergoing any military training; however they undergo light physical training as part of wellness. They can only run up to 1.4 km as a morning exercise. The disabled and the sick remain behind during this period.

Q:They claim that the boots that they were promised never arrived

Answer: It is regrettable that they were not given the training gear even though all the procurement procedures were followed to purchase the boots but our supplier failed to supply during the last minute when it was too late to get alternative supply. However, boots will be provided for in the next intake.

Q:They also claim that the punishment meted on them by the BDF trainers were severe, e.g being forced to stand in the sun for hours as a punishment.

Answer:When trainees misbehave in training, necessary corrective measures are taken as a form of punishment. Most of the activities that are done are outdoor exercises like assembling for forming up parades for accountability, drill to enhance team work and cohesiveness. Inspections for cleanliness and physical exercises are outdoor activities.

Q:They also complain that the military training they underwent was potentially dangerous to their health and a medical test was needed to ascertain if they were fit to undergo the regime.Answer:?There is no military training done on the YES Boot Camp participants.Q:What is exactly the intention of the military training, how is it relevant to the entrepreneurship aspirations of the youth?Answer:? The military in the boot camp is there to instill discipline which includes:a. Cleanlinessb. Time managementc. Team workd. Respecte. Perseverancef. Behaviour change

They also teach life skills which include;a. First aidb. Stress managementc. Civic engagement which includes patriotism and national symbols e.g flag and national anthem.These skills are relevant to any self respecting citizen, potential entrepreneurs included.Q: Are you aware of the boogie boogie sex dance the females were forced to perform for the soldiers in the first two weeks? What was the purpose of the particular sex dance as far as entrepreneurship is concerned?Answer:There is nothing like a boogie boogie sex dance and we do not condone any illicit activities in the Boot Camp, further we do not allow sexual activities in the boot camp. There are 'DOs' and 'DON'Ts' governing both trainees and participants and trainers. Anybody who violates these rules receives severe action against them.Q:The youth complain that they were publicly referred to as 'stock' by the BDF trainers, a term implicitly meaning sex objects. Do you condone the use of the word, 'stock' by the BDF trainers to refer to the youth trainees?Answer:There is no such name as 'stock' in training but trainees are referred to as trainees or 'MaYouth'.Q:They allege that the BDF and the youth camps are so close to each other that it was common for some youth to cross the road and sleep with the BDF soldiers.Answer:Participants stay in the trainees' barracks; facilitators and trainers stay in the residential areas. The distance between trainers and trainees camp may be close but there are areas which are out of bounds for both trainees and trainers. For instance, female participants are accommodated in ladies barracks and only female officers can enter the ladies barracks for inspection purposes.It should also be emphasised that the boot camp is voluntary and MYSC has always stressed that this is not a pre-requisite for youth development funding. In addition, all young people with medical conditions were returned home. 11 Social workers are deployed to the boot camp to take care of the welfare of the youth. The youth also have access to medical attention throughout the camp.Kristian Mmusi-head of public relations office, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture