The government could soon reintroduce mandatory community service training akin to the National Youth Service (NYS) program in the 1980s should President William Ruto's administration adopt the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Educational Reforms.
In a report released on Tuesday, August 1, the team led by Prof Raphael Munavu proposed that all students graduating from senior school (secondary school) will undergo mandatory community service training for three months.
Consequently, upon graduating from university, all Kenyans will be required to undertake similar training for nine months before entering the job market.
"It is, therefore, needful to re-introduce the Community Service Learning programmes for students upon graduation, to promote peaceful co-existence and cultivate a sense of patriotism, appreciation of diverse cultures and work ethics in our youth," the report noted.
Community service training will be a key requirement when entering university and the job market.
"A certificate of compliance to the community service to be issued as proof before admission into the world of work," read the report in part," the committee recommended.
The committee was appointed to develop a plan for Kenya's education system including the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) which has faced challenges with its implementation.
In their recommendation, the report has put emphasis on community service in preparing learners for future responsibilities in their lives and the job market.
"Community Service Learning encourages learners to develop an understanding of civic responsibility to support and strengthen their communities," the report noted.
While the report has not indicated when the community learning will start if adopted, the responsibility has been put on the Ministry of Education to develop a policy.
"MoE to develop and operationalise a policy for mandatory Community Service Learning Programmes for all students upon completion of Senior School, TVET and University education," the report stated.
The programmes will be implemented in two components with the first three months being after Senior School in one’s home County, while the rest be in another County after TVET/University education in order to enhance cross-cultural interaction and national cohesion.
