Should unpaid community service be a compulsory part of high school program?

Question

e.g. working in a charity, improving the relationship of neighbourhood or teaching sports to children

Answer 1

That would be fantastic.  It would teach the kids much more than any book or lecture!!!

Answer 2

yes, young people today need to learn their are others in the world beside themselves and the impact they can have on a person just by being there for them.One kind word, one minute of listening one hug can help change a person forever.It feels good to give of oneself with nothing in return.

Answer 3

No. Personally, I love helping the community, and enjoy community service. What I dn't enjoy is being told how much I Have to do. By my freshman year I had logged 96 hours, but the would only count 5. Now in my sophmore year I'm taking alot of extra classes and don't have time to do as much, I've been told I'm not doing enough. Being forced to do it takes away the charity of it. You're still helping, but only to further yourself.

Answer 4

In South Florida, it was necessary to do community/volunteer service to graduate high school.  I think it is a wonderful idea for students to explore and learn about others.  Perhaps this will start them on a lifetime of helping others.

Answer 5

I think that is a wonderful thing.  Plus colleges look at that also.

Answer 6

I don't think it should be mandatory, BUT I feel like everyone should want to do whatever they can to help other people. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't care and don't see it as their responsibility. So, I don't think it should be mandatory, but it should be rewarded! I know that makes it sound like you'd be doing it for the wrong reasons, but once people get started they don't want to stop!

Answer 7

My high school requires us to do "service projects" from time to time. Sometimes the whole school goes (we have a relatively small school; under 70 students) sometimes just one or two classes goes, and sometimes they pick certain people to go. It's such an amazing experience. I've gone on two this year so far, I went and organzied the art room in the local Boys & Girls Club with a few other kids in my grade, and I went and cooked and served lunch at a local soup kitchen with two others in my grade and one senior. I think you can learn a lot from community service. It teaches things such as being grateful for what you have, and it's a great experience.

Answer 8

there is an english class in our high school that does not pass you unless you do some form of community service. it teaches you much more than books ever could.

Answer 9

"Service Learning" is a lot more than just compulsory community service.  It has to include some kind of "learning" component to it also.  

Many schools don't really understand that very well.