Impact of Community Service Learning on the Social Skills of Students

• Main Authors: Azmina Afzal, Nasreen Hussain
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Business Management 2020-06-01
• Series: Journal of Education and Educational Development
• Subjects: civic engagement; community service learning
• Online Access: http://jmsnew.iobmresearch.com/index.php/joeed/workflow/index/10/5

Recently, many high schools and universities have promoted community service learning program by making it part of the admission process; therefore, students participate in community service learning program to get admission in an institution of their choice. Moreover, after completing the community service program, they see themselves as more socially responsible citizens. This qualitative study aimed to explore the impact of community service learning on the social skills of students. The study employed a qualitative method by randomly selecting twenty five male and female students for focused group interviews from five different O- level schools situated in a middle socio-economic locality. The results revealed that community service learning program has a positive impact on the social skills of O-level students. Besides, students had also a positive learning experience. The findings of the study indicated that the awareness to encourage community service in schools is grounded on the acceptance that it does not only give students extra credit points, but serving others or one’s own community also makes them better citizens. Based on the advantages and positive experiences of students, the study recommends to include a more inclusive model of service learning in school curriculum.