Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Andreas Kamasah
Published on 2024-02-08 10:40:17
The proposal to exempt graduates from mandatory national service upon securing a job after completing their education marks a significant shift from the longstanding requirement of a one-year National Service. This requirement has been mandatory by law, with graduates without proof of completion barred from employment or taking up any public office. While the proposal emphasizes the need to support youth employment and promote campus recruitment drives by companies, critics have raised concerns about the potential consequences of making national service optional. Some analysts argue that such a move could have negative implications for both graduates and the country as a whole.
Despite ongoing debates regarding the necessity of national service, it’s crucial to acknowledge its benefits to both graduates and the nation. Participating in national service provides graduates with opportunities to acquire practical skills, real-world work experience, valuable networking connections, and a sense of civic responsibility. It also fosters personal growth, fulfillment, and purpose, contributing to individual development. Beyond individual benefits, national service also plays a crucial role in national development by addressing pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, promoting social cohesion, enhancing human capital, and fostering a culture of service. Moreover, national service programs contribute to national security and resilience by instilling patriotism and readiness to respond to emergencies.
Exempting graduates from mandatory national service has raised concerns about potentially diminishing these personal and societal benefits. The benefits of national service to the graduate include:
1. Skill Development: Engaging in national service provides graduates with opportunities to acquire practical skills, teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities that are essential for personal and professional growth.
2. Work Experience: Participation in national service offers valuable real-world work experience, enhancing graduates’ resumes and increasing their attractiveness to potential employers.
3. Networking Opportunities: Through national service, graduates build relationships with diverse individuals, including fellow volunteers and community members, fostering valuable networking connections for their future careers.
4. Civic Engagement: National service promotes civic engagement and a sense of responsibility to one’s community and country, encouraging graduates to actively contribute to societal needs and create positive change.
5. Personal Growth: By stepping out of their comfort zones and overcoming challenges during national service, graduates experience personal growth, developing confidence, resilience, and self-awareness.
6. Fulfillment and Purpose: Many graduates find fulfillment and purpose in national service, as it allows them to make meaningful contributions to society and positively impact the lives of others.
The benefits of national service to the country include:
1. Addressing Critical Needs: National service programs address pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, contributing to national development goals such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
2. Strengthening Social Cohesion: National service fosters unity and solidarity among individuals from diverse backgrounds, promoting social cohesion and national unity.
3. Building Human Capital: National service enhances the employability and skills of individuals, contributing to human capital development and economic growth.
4. Promoting Civic Engagement: By encouraging citizens to actively participate in civic life, national service strengthens democracy and encourages citizen involvement in addressing societal challenges.
5. Fostering a Culture of Service: National service instills values of altruism and social responsibility, contributing to the development of a caring and compassionate society.
6. Enhancing National Security: National service programs play a role in national security by instilling patriotism and readiness to respond to emergencies, contributing to national resilience.
In light of these benefits, concerns about the potential consequences of making national service optional are legitimate. Such a move could diminish the personal and societal benefits of national service, jeopardizing both individual development and national progress. It is important to carefully consider the implications of such a policy change on both graduates and the nation as a whole.
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