The Essay Question: Some believe that unpaid community service for example, working for charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger ones, should be a compulsory part of high school programme.
To what extent do you agree or disagree ?
The Essay: It has often been a moot point whether voluntary charity programs, such as improvising the neighbourhood or tutoring younger children in sports, ought to be made mandatory in high school curriculum. I totally agree with unpaid community service being made compulsory in high school as it offers several benefits.
To begin with, it is seen that not only theoretical knowledge but also a child’s sensitivity to moral responsibilities, like free community service, are critical to a successful career. Involvement in such roles, allows juveniles to acquire and imbibe moral values and requisite life skills of communication, shouldering responsibilities, empathy and foresight amongst others. For instance, Sunder Pitchai , a top executive in Google, picked up soft skills and confidence after engaging in free community service programmes in his higher secondary classes, due to which he was proffered a job amongst hundreds of applicants.
Additionally, mandatory social service with no payments by pupils at high school, helps them in obtaining admission in a good university . This sets them apart from other aspirants making them outshine others, for enrolling into tertiary education or employment later, due to their contact with the ground reality. Moreover, such work renders them sensitive to societal needs, making them good members of society.
Proponents of the opposite view, argue that compulsory unpaid community service by high school students, will only add up to their existing academic pressure. They believe that such school goers will not be able to complete their home work, assignments or studies that would adversely impact grades.
To conclude, I opine that incorporating obligatory non-paid community service in high school curriculum would no doubt be a catalyst in the career path of school children, since it moulds their personality positively and makes them responsible citizens.