From the 2011 – 2012 school year, secondary education students must complete a mandatory 30 hours of social internship during their school career. The aim of these social internships is to introduce students to our society and what their contribution is to it. What they can do during these internships is very broadly defined. This varies from helping in a nursing home to organizing sports activities for children.
Introduction of social internships
Social internships were already carried out by many schools before they were made mandatory, because this can make a positive contribution to the student’s experience. In July 2011, the Senate approved a bill that now even legally stipulates that students must do social internships.
What is the purpose of the social internship?
The students will contribute to society without receiving money for it. This will teach the young person to feel responsible for their contribution to society. Research has shown that young people who have completed a social internship have more respect for others.
Who is the social internship for?
Young people from secondary schools in practical education must do a social internship. These are the students of: HAVO, VMBO and VWO.
Who bears the costs for the social internship?
The costs must be borne by the schools, but the government has made money available for this. In the 2010-2011 school year, the schools received an expense allowance per student of a maximum of 60. The actual costs incurred had to be demonstrated. From the 2011-2012 school year, the schools will be compensated by an increased amount made available to cover personnel costs and material expenses.
Carrying out the social internship
The young people do not have to complete the 30 hours in one school year, because they still have their entire school career to do this. The students and the schools are given a lot of freedom in organizing the internship. This may include the work that is now also carried out as volunteer work. The main thing is that the students feel involved.
Let students choose their own social internship
Students will be most motivated if the internship matches their interests. For example, a student who is very sporty can selflessly provide training to children. A student who feels involved in a particular organization can do the social internship there. The school must assess whether an internship proposed by the student falls within the description of a social internship. Schools can also set up projects themselves and deploy students on them.
What is a relay stage?
A social internship often demands a lot from the institution where the students are deployed. The students must have the necessary guidance. The relay stage has been established to minimize the investment of the institutions. A student is trained once. As soon as this internship is about to end, he or she will first train another student who will then do an internship at the same institution. In this way, much less is demanded of the providers of internships. news highlighted