what happens in USA happens here...

April 13, 2009

discussion a while back which was monitored about american politics, and what it

had to do with here in the UK. Well, plenty.

No way my kid is doing this.

PM plans to compel community work

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged to ensure every young person has done 50

hours of voluntary work by the time they are 19 years old.

Mr Brown said a promise to bring in compulsory community service would be a part

of his next election manifesto.

Under the scheme, the work may include helping charities and is likely to become

part of the school curriculum.

The scheme would be woven into plans to make everyone stay in education or

training until the age of 18 by 2011.

Mr Brown told the News of the World newspaper: " It is my ambition to create a

Britain in which there is a clear expectation that all young people will

undertake some service to their community, and where community service will

become a normal part of growing up in Britain.

'Clear accreditation'

" And, by doing so, the contributions of each of us will build a better society

for all of us. "

The prime minister added: " That would mean young people being expected to

contribute at least 50 hours of community service by the time they have reached

the age of 19.

" This will build on the platform provided by citizenship classes as they develop

in our schools. But because the greater part of what I envisage as community

service takes place outside the school day, it will require the close

involvement of local community organisations and charities. "

Mr Brown said the work would also be linked to a " clear system of accreditation "

so that young people would be able mark their achievements gained through

volunteering.

He added: " By building from compulsory citizenship studies in the 14-16

curriculum, we can create an expectation of national youth community service. "

Gordon Brown first proposed the idea of a National Youth Service to channel

teenagers into voluntary work last year.

It is due to be formally launched in September, and would become compulsory if

Labour were re-elected.

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