Starehe MP Proposes Mandatory Community Service for Secondary School Leavers

Starehe Member of Parliament, Amos Mwago, has proposed a new initiative that would make community service mandatory for all students upon completion of secondary school education. The proposal, which Mwago plans to present to the National Assembly, aims to provide students who are unable to further their education with practical skills for the job market.

The MP, affiliated with the Jubilee Party, believes that implementing mandatory community service would equip students with technical and life skills essential for securing employment. Mwago contends that this measure could also help alleviate the high unemployment rate among youth and reduce their susceptibility to criminal activities.

“The introduction of mandatory community service would not only impart valuable skills but also foster a sense of civic responsibility among students,” Mwago stated. However, he did not disclose specific details about the training content, which could potentially include tasks such as cleaning public spaces, volunteering, and environmental initiatives like tree planting.

Mwago’s proposal follows a similar recommendation from the Presidential Working Party on Educational Reforms last August. The team suggested that secondary school leavers undergo a three-month community service program, with university graduates participating in a nine-month training period before entering the workforce.

The Ministry of Education is expected to develop and implement a policy to operationalize these community service-learning programs if the proposal is approved. This initiative mirrors aspects of the National Youth Service (NYS) program from the 1980s, aimed at bolstering both civic engagement and employability among young people.