An extract from the IEB Life Orientation Guidelines
2.3 COMMUNITY SERVICE TASK
Community Service is a valuable experience for learners as it fosters personal growth, enhances social skills, assists with the development of empathy, and makes a meaningful impact on communities. It is a task that provides learners with an opportunity to develop and practice the attitudes and values epitomised in the curriculum.
Learners should be conscious of the above when selecting how to complete their community service task requirement.
2.3.1 Requirements
20 hours of community service and a reflection piece is necessary to meet the requirements of the community service task.
The required community service hours can be completed from Grade 10–12.
Learners are credited with 2 marks per 1 hour of community service completed. E.g. 5 hours of community service equates to 10 marks; 20 hours of community service equates to 40 marks.
A written reflection task must be completed by learners on completion of the community service component. This written reflection task must focus on the learner’s personal growth, challenges associated with the task and remediation. Whilst the reflection task does not count for marks, it is essential in order to show the learner’s development in completion of the community service task.
A reflection piece can take the form of a short essay, or a set of questions that require the learner to reflect on the experience.
Should a learner be unable to complete the community service task due to a valid reason (such as a medical condition) the school must contact the IEB.
2.3.2 Evidence of Completed Community Service Hours
It is the school’s responsibility to verify the hours completed by the learners.
Learners are required to complete Annexure A: LO Community Service Log to record the hours completed.
In addition, photographs and/or videos of learners completing the tasks may be used to supplement their records. Letters, correspondence and/or certification from community service organisations, where available, must be included.
Annexure A: LO Community Service Log and associated evidence, as well as the personal reflection task must be included in the Learner SBA file.
2.3.3 Community Service Guidelines
Community service is service completed for the greater community.
There are two categories of community service:
| There are two categories of community service: Type of Community Service | Interactive community service | Support Service community service |
| Description | Volunteer activities that involve direct engagement and active participation between learners and the community. Emphasises face-to-face interaction, collaboration, and hands-on involvement with community members. | Action taken, or help provided to assist communities where support in the provision of basic needs and services is lacking. Involves solitary or behind-the-scenes work. |
| Examples of Community Service | Tutoring / teaching (online or in-person) people who are disadvantaged Coaching / assisting with sports teams from communities who are disadvantaged Outreach programmes Volunteering at Animal shelters Soup kitchens Homes for the elderly Homes for children or people who are vulnerable NGOs or NPOs Administrative assistance at police stations, clinics, NGOs or NPOs Environmental clean ups Pavement adoption Community vegetable gardens Public art projects | Learners may complete a maximum of 5 hours of Support Service Community Service Tasks per year. See Support Service Community Service Guidelines for further information. (The spreadsheet can also be found in the LO folder of the IEB website) Support Services Community Service Guidelines |
Community Service hours may not be completed for service to the school. For example, learners may not accumulate community service hours assisting school PR tasks or school sports or cultural events.
However, schools may organise community service events and outreach activities and use school time for learners to complete community service provided it is for the greater community.
Assisting at ‘for-profit organisations’ does not constitute community service. Examples of this include working at a business or company, or job shadowing at a hospital.