English
- Introduction
The cooperation and efforts of people towards the implementation of viable projects aids in the development of entire society. It is through voluntary participation of duties that reflects the dedication and capabilities of students towards societal-oriented empowerment. The majority of community services are instituted through forced parameters laid down by various agencies such as learning institutions. Such agencies gauge the well-being of participants through evaluating their skills towards serving the community. Most importantly, the agencies examine the voluntary aspects and overall performance of the participants in the community services. The importance of community services to the students is to prepare them for the reality of life, in relation to academic application.
- Claim: The policy that requires all the students to complete 100 hours of community service during their high school education is paramount. It is the aspects of preparedness and submissiveness towards work that dictates the success of community service. The study supports the policy based on the benefits to the students and community.
- Reason 1: Community service aids in development of economy
- Evidence: Studies indicate that the approximated value of community service is fifteen US dollars per hour, in one student. As a result, one student will generate $ 1500 in total throughout the session.
- Counterargument: Although the estimated value of each students doing community services is estimated to be $ 15, high capital is used during the process such as buying of seedlings for planting.
- Conclusion: The returns of the community services are relatively higher than the capital investment. Consequently, community service aids in economic development.
- Reason 2: Students acquire vital skills and knowledge
- Evidence: Studies indicate that seventy percent of students engaging in community service improved both academically and tactfully. More so, improvement of skills among students such as critical-thinking, interpersonal communication and decision-making was attributed to community service.
- Counterargument: Although students gain skills such as critical-thinking, it is personal efforts that favour development and adoption of such skills. More so, skills such as critical-thinking can be learned in other areas such as classes.
- Conclusion: Community service increases interaction of students with the community whereby they benefit through skills development such as critical-thinking. Communication skills are also important in the implementation of community service projects.
- Reason 3: Community service help in strengthening community through making a difference
- Evidence: It is through community service that students exercise their talents such as mentoring, guidance, leadership and support to the locals. Consequently, the community feels empowered both economically and socially. Research state that community service ignites the capabilities of students, which are best exploited positively in the society.
- Counterargument: Contrastingly, interaction of students with the locals may cultivate the aspect of crime, which worsens the input of students. More so, student views community service as a statutory requirement rather than responsibility.
- Conclusion: Overall, students engage in constructive course of community empowerment. The community reciprocates through supporting students, and as one, society is united.
- Overall conclusion: Community service policy should be adopted on the basis of economic development, acquisition of vital skills and unification of the society. Most importantly, community service puts students’ theoretical knowledge into practice, which generates factors of responsibility, commitment and innovation. In essence, community service prepares the student to face the reality of life through equipping them with skills such as decision-making and communication.
