EDITORIAL: NYS training can’t fix what families and schools failed to build

Government’s idea, as revealed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, to have newly recruited civil servants enrol with the National Youth Service before taking up duty, is rooted in a genuine concern about discipline and work ethic in the public service. It acknowledges what many quietly admit: that professionalism, respect for authority and a sense of duty are no longer guaranteed.



There is value in the proposal. As an orientation phase, it could help align new public servants with the demands and responsibilities of serving the state, particularly for those entering the workforce for the first time. But discipline cannot be imposed late in life. It is difficult to fix broken men and women through a short training programme, no matter how well designed.

The primary responsibility for producing disciplined, values-driven citizens lies with families and schools. These are the institutions meant to shape character, teach respect and nurture responsibility from an early age. But the rising levels of violence, cruelty and social breakdown suggest that these foundations are weakening. Without strong families and functional schools, even well-intended reforms risk addressing symptoms rather than causes.