Volunteering belongs in every school – not just IEB

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

- SHARON GORDON

IN A country where youth unemployment, inequality, and social disconnection continue to challenge communities, volunteering is more than feel-good work - it’s a vital tool for building skills, confidence, and civic responsibility in young people.

While many IEB schools have integrated volunteering services and Life Orientation volunteering hours into their curriculum, public schools often struggle to offer the same structured opportunities. This gap must close. All learners, regardless of curriculum, deserve access to meaningful, trackable volunteer opportunities.

Fortunately, a free local platform, www.volunteernow.co.za, is helping schools, learners, and organisations connect, track verified hours, and create lasting change.

Here are the four types of volunteering every school should offer - and why they matter in the South African context: Active Volunteering