History of the National Youth Service Corps

Early in the 20th century, national youth service corps programs were first introduced in the United States. It may be dated back to a speech made at Stanford University by philosopher William James.

He said that "conscription of the whole youth population should labor on the harshest professions, from fishing fleets and coal and iron mines" (A Study of Promising Models in International Development Strategies 2011).

This lecture brought awareness to a fresh approach to youth development. Franklin Roosevelt, the president of the United States at the time, answered William James's call to action by establishing a program in 1933 that encouraged young people to contribute to nation-building during the Great Depression.

The program's official name was Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It can be claimed that this program was successful while it was in place since it allowed America to build magnificent structures and open up employment possibilities.

International National Youth Service Corps

There are national youth service corps in many places, and they were established for various purposes. In different places of the world, it goes by many names.

In France, it is commonly referred to as civic service. "Civic service is a voluntary commitment on a general interest mission, which lasts for a period of 6 to 12 months, of 8 months on average, at the rate of at least 24 hours a week," according to a description from the French Ministry of Culture (French Ministry of Culture 2021).

It is known as Servicio Social in Mexico. It was founded in 1936 to rebuild the nation following the Mexican Revolution.

The program was targeted at college freshmen and aims to develop politically, economically, and culturally aware citizens.

During this time of service, physicians are sent from urban to rural regions in an effort to narrow the wealth gap between the middle class and the peasantry.

It was formed in Kenya in 1964, one year after the nation gained independence. Defense is given more attention.

At the time of its founding, Kenya was experiencing instability, making it crucial for the nation to involve the youth in beneficial programs.

It was created to impart a culture of nation-building and rebuilding while simultaneously providing young Kenyan men and women with training in a variety of practical skills (Were 2019).

In order to promote a deeper sense of national solidarity and duty among all segments of Ghanaian society, a national youth service program was formed in Ghana in 1976 by military directive 208.

Its early focus was just on high school graduates but eventually expanded to include graduates of universities and other academic institutions. The program's length was cut from two years to one year.

Nigeria's National Youth Service Corps

Any Nigerian citizen who has successfully finished a first-degree course at any Nigerian university is required to serve in the National Youth Service under the terms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Decree No. 24 of 1973.

After the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC program was established in an effort to rebuild, bring people together, and revitalize the nation.

The National Youth Service Corps Directorate's policy is to send graduates to serve in countries other than their own home countries.

Married women who have children and can provide proof with a birth certificate of their children are the only group of married women who are exempt from this regulation.

For corps members who had reached the age of thirty, however, the exemption based on age was reinstated with effect from the 1984–1985 service year.

Read More: https://africafactszone.com/national-youth-service-corps/

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