As a veteran guidance counselor, the 40-hour community service graduation requirement has been a staple for Ontario high school students since I began my role in guidance. For years, I’ve engaged in numerous discussions with students, parents, and colleagues about the value of mandatory volunteerism. This past June, we graduated 450 Grade 12 students at my Mississauga, Ontario high school. One award stood out during the ceremony—the Lieutenant Governor Community Volunteer Award, given to the student who surpasses the required 40 hours of service. This year’s recipient completed nearly 700 hours over four years. When I spoke with this student about their experiences, they shared their enthusiasm for volunteering in various capacities, including their church, camps, community outreach programs, tutoring, and working at a local animal shelter. What began as a graduation requirement of 40 hours evolved into a significant, fulfilling part of this student’s life over four years. It’s truly fascinating.
In the province of Ontario, secondary school students are required to earn a minimum of 40 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. Students may begin volunteering and earning these hours the summer after they graduate Grade 8. Technically, students beginning Grade 9 have the potential to earn all 40 hours, if not more, before they begin high school. However, Ontario is not alone in asking students to log hours as a graduation requirement. Many provinces and territories require high school students to complete some sort of volunteer or work placement for credit or as a graduation requirement. In British Columbia, students are required to earn 30 hours of either community or paid work experience. In Newfoundland and Labrador, high school students must complete 30 hours of volunteer work, and the Northwest Territories requires 25 hours. Many education systems across Canada have adopted this requirement. In Nunavut, students must take a compulsory course that includes a community practicum and Quebec and Prince Edward Island have also embedded community service as a requirement for graduation.
So, why are many of Canada’s provinces and territories mandating a volunteer requirement for secondary school students? What are the goals and benefits of this requirement?
The Ontario Ministry of Education began making volunteering for high school students mandatory in 1999. The goal was to develop responsible citizens, we needed as an education system to mandate community service; much in the same way we make taking English, Math and Science mandatory courses. By providing young people with opportunities to do outreach and the necessity to have that outreach completed as a graduation requirement, would hopefully inspire and drive our young people to continue volunteering within their community or abroad.
Besides fostering civic responsibility, teenage volunteer work can significantly spark personal growth. I’ve observed students unsure of their potential as volunteers discover their strengths through these experiences. Schools and communities need to create and promote opportunities for volunteerism. In our department, we organize several volunteer events each year, such as food bank visits, clothing drives, and park clean-ups. I’ve seen students, who once doubted their abilities, become deeply engaged and enthusiastic when given a chance to contribute. The transformation is remarkable; students develop essential life skills like leadership, teamwork, and time management through their volunteer work. These skills are invaluable and will benefit them in future endeavors. The growth observed from volunteering is profound and lasting, demonstrating that even seemingly small acts of service can lead to significant personal development.
Another benefit of volunteering in high school is career exploration. Many times, students will volunteer as an assistant coach and decide teaching is a career path for them; they may volunteer in a park or conservancy and pursue environmental studies or landscaping. Often, students will volunteer with a municipal official or a government agency, which might inspire them to public service. Volunteering helps students explore potential career paths and assists students in building networks.
Community impact is one of the most significant consequences of volunteering. Students helping with various religious, cultural and social festivals and celebrations, giving back to their community by offering their time, their input, and countless hours to make these community initiatives a success is by far the most impactful byproduct of volunteering. When I run into students on the weekends and holidays at various community functions, giving their time, and fostering community spirit, it becomes contagious. I see the ripple effect of other students wanting to participate as well.
Although there are many benefits to volunteering, the debate about making it mandatory persists, with some arguing that it undermines the spirit of volunteerism by reducing it to a checkbox activity rather than a meaningful experience. This sentiment has validity as it’s important to recognize that requiring students to complete various tasks—such as earning certain credits, engaging in community service, and taking provincial tests—can sometimes diminish the joy and significance we aim to instill in education. However, if even a fraction of students are inspired by this requirement to continue contributing to their community, the mandate can be deemed a success. It’s true that some students may resist following rules or guidelines, but many others find high school to be a rewarding journey that helps shape their future positively. Volunteering is a crucial step in this process, helping students become engaged community members and responsible citizens. For this reason, I fully support the mandate and its potential benefits.
By: Anna Macri
