The National Youth Service

During its first term the UPP created many opportunities for the development and advancement of the nation’s youth. This commitment to our youth will continue during our second term with a number of youth oriented initiatives, one of which will be the creation of the National Youth Service.

The NYS will be aimed at young people 16 years and over, those who are still at school and those who have left school.

Upon enlistment in the NYS, young people will be guided to join one of the Activity Groups, according to their interest or aptitude. These Activity Groups will include National Parks and Environment, Social Work (including care of the elderly), Community Building, Arts and Culture, Military Support (Coast Guard and the ABDF), among others. In the case of school students the Activity Groups will operate for six-week periods during the summer vacations and for school leavers for a one-year period after leaving school.

The Youth Service will be a volunteer organization, with strong incentives to attract a large number of the nation’s youth. All members will receive a monetary stipend, and each member of the NYS will earn “education credits”, that is, a guarantee of a financial contribution by government to any tertiary educational institution selected by the member after satisfactory completion of their period in the Youth Service. This financial contribution will be based on the
“points” gained by each member during the period of their enlistment and will reflect such measures as attendance at the Activity Group’s programs, punctuality, discipline, deportment, work ethic, efficiency and productivity.

The National Youth Service will be developed and managed by a dedicated unit in the Ministry of Youth Affairs.