Service learning, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential for ushering in social change and development

As educators, we aim to empower students as active citizens, but service learning often falls short in real-world impact and accessibility. To truly make a difference, service learning should be tied to pressing issues like the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, motivating students to effect meaningful change.

STEP 1 - Schools to Choose Organisations Aligned with SDGs

Schools looking to empower students should choose organizations and causes aligned with the UN's SDGs rather than generic "community service," focusing projects on issues like zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and well-being (SDG 3), and quality education (SDG 4). With this, students gain valuable skills and see how they can improve lives, empowering them to become true agents of change.

STEP 2 - Empower Students through Service Learning Projects

By guiding students to develop and implement their own service learning initiatives, schools can shape students into engaged citizens making a real difference. Steps to consider: encourage students to identify issues in their local community, assist students in designing their own service projects, ensure the project’s real impact, and have students reflect on how their efforts contributed to meeting the UN SDGs. Through this, students gain valuable skills and confidence while working to build a more just and sustainable world.

STEP 3 - Make Service Learning Accessible to All Students

Currently, service learning programs tend to attract privileged students, while lower-income students often miss out. To remedy this, schools can offer a range of projects at varying commitment levels, organise carpools or provide bussing to off-campus projects, spread the word about these opportunities to all students, and provide school credit or other incentives. This can make service learning appealing and rewarding for all students. By making these programs accessible, schools can open up service learning to students who stand to benefit the most.

STEP 4 - Develop a Sustained Service Learning Program

To develop a sustained service learning program, schools should make these programs mandatory, focus on local issues, build in time for students to reflect on their experiences through class discussions, and develop community partnerships. Furthermore, find ways to highlight and celebrate successful student projects to keep them engaged and motivated. Celebrations also reflect to students that their work is valued and impactful.

STEP 5 - Evaluating Impact and Next Steps

Post-service learning, schools must evaluate the impact and plan for enhancements. Gather student feedback through surveys or focus groups and consult community partners to assess their views. Use these insights to make informed changes, fostering students' active community contributions.

Empowering students through service learning aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential for developing agency and purpose. Schools prioritising this, foster citizens of character. Encouraging reflection through journals, discussions, and feedback helps students connect experiences to social issues, promoting solutions-oriented thinking. Deep reflection empowers students to create positive social change with a clear understanding of community needs and systemic issues, shaping their future actions.

(The author is the founder of a social initiative called Gullaq, views are personal)