|
At what age the students are required to participate? What do you think they get out of it?
I'm not sure of the school system there, but adolescence before moving on to another school. In Canada, grade 8 or 9 (13-15) before graduation, as a rite of passage. With the younger age, it teaches responsibility, involvement, awareness... and hopefully some will continue this experience and make volunteering part of their lives in highschool and beyond.
What are they actually required to do?
There should be a set list of opportunities, with registered centers requiring and signing off on help. It could range from general help (senior's homes, highway/park cleanup, food bank) to roles that are based around their academic and eventual career interests (hospital volunteering, music lessons, day care/kindergarten help).
and do you think it benefited the community in any substantial way?
Absolutely. The 5-10% of students who might stay on helping after their assignment is done is a LOT of people and hands. Again, it teaches the students responsibility and awareness, creating a more alert and conscious society, hopefully improving the general population as well as those directly needing help.
|