History

Introduction

This unit eight talks about the different types of national services in some

countries like United Kingdom, in Israel, Ghana, Nigeria, Singapore, Brazil and

strong emphasis is made on Rwandan societies. It focuses also contributions

of the youth in the national service and general role of the national service in

national development.

National service is defined as an organised activity where people serve in the

community through different ways (according to the country and society), and

it has been adopted by different countries as solution to their internal problems.

It is one way to integrate the youth in national priorities and their contribution

into national social and economic development.

Many countries have adopted the national service for different purposes. Some

of them are inspired by the need of increasing the number of soldiers during the

war time. This is a case of national service in United Kingdom and in Singapore

for example. Other countries like Ghana, Nigeria and Brazil, the motives which

have guided option for national service including the need to incorporate the

youth into social and economic development of their countries.

In Rwanda, the adoption of national service was inspired by the concept of

volunteerism practiced in traditional Rwanda. Today, national service exists

under the term of Urugerero program. This is provided for in article 48 of the

Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015. Through

Urugerero activities, they youth are trained and initiated to military trainings for

physical fitness. Thereafter, they are sent into their respective local communities

to help in implementation on some national policies like sensitization and

mobilisation against some diseases like malaria etc..

Key unit competence

Explain different types of national service in Rwanda and other countries.

Introductory activity

The youth, as adults, should contribute in social transformation of Rwanda towards

its Vision 2020 – 2050. How can national service be an easy way to help the Rwandans

to achieve this goal? Write 500 words text with pictures to illustrate your response.

Learning objectivesAt the end of this unit, I should be able to:

• Describe the concept of national service;

• Compare and contrast different types of national services;

• Assess the contribution of the youth in national service;

• Evaluate the role of the national service in nation building.

8.1 Definition of the concept of national service in Rwanda and other countries

Activity 8.1

By using internet and / or textbooks from your school library, define the concept

of national service in Rwanda

National service is a system of either compulsory or voluntary government service,

usually  military service. This term of “national service” comes from the National

Service (Armed Forces) Act of 1939 enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom

on September 3, 1939. Through this service, many young people spent one or more

years performing national duties in the army or in civil service.

It can be also defined as an organized activity in which people serve the community

in ways that contribute to social, economic and political transformation at no

financial rewards.

In Rwanda, national service is known today as volunteerism and practiced through

Urugerero. The term volunteerism is defined by International Labour Organisation

as “unpaid,non-compulsory work, that is, the time individuals give without pay to

activities performed either through an organization directly forothers outside their

own household.” In Rwandan context, volunteerism is referred to as Ubwitange or

Ubukorerabushake, which literally means a“free will action”, performed out of selfmotivation and passion.

According to the adopted Itorero strategy, volunteerismis defined as “the

practice of people working for a particular cause without payment for their time

and services.It is the desire to under take by choice and free will a task or work

for the benefit of the wider community beyond the volunteer’s immediate family

and friends”.

Application activity 8.1

After understanding the concept of “national service”, reformulate your own definition. 

8.2 Differences and similarities of different national service

Activity 8.2

Through your research by using internet and other documents from your

school library discuss different forms of national service.

In many cases, the national services are in two forms, such as compulsory national

service and alternative civilian service.

8.2.1Compulsory national service

Compulsory national service (or military national service) typically requires

all male citizens to enrol for one or two years, usually at the age of 18 (later for

university level students). To large extent, compulsory military service is known as

conscription.

Conscription is compulsory enlistment of people in a national service, most often

a military service. Conscription dates back to Antiquity and continues in some

countries to the present day under various names. The modern system of nearuniversal national conscription for young men dates to the French Revolution in

the 1780s, where it became the basis of a very large and powerful military. Most

European nations later imitated the same system in peacetime so that men at

a certain age would serve from one up to eight years on active service and then

transfer to the reserve force.

Conscription usually involves individuals who are deemed fit for military service.

However, some governments have established universal military service in which all

men or all people of a certain age are conscripted.

Most governments use conscription at some time, usually when the voluntary

enlistment soldiers fails to meet military needs. Most of them only conscript

men; a few countries also conscript both men and women For example, China,

North Korea, Israel, Eritrea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Libya and Peru. 

8.2.2 Alternative civilian service

It is a form of national service performed in lieu of conscription for various reasons,

such as conscientious objection, inadequate health or political reasons. It is service

to a government made by a civilian, particularly such service as an option for

conscripted persons who are conscientious objectors and to military service.

Civilian service is usually performed in the service of non-profit governmental

bodies or other institutions. For example, in Germany (before conscription was

abolished), those in civilian service worked extensively in healthcare facilities

and retirement homes, while other countries have a wider variety of possible

placements.

The common synonyms for the term are “alternative service”, civilian service, and

non – military service and substitute service as well.

Application activity 8.2

 Compare and contrast different types of national service.

8.3 National service in Rwanda and in other countries

Activity 8.3

By using internet, textbooks, journals and newspapers, make a research on

national service in Rwanda. Then write down your findings in not more than 300

words. 

8.3.1 Recent institutionalisation of national service in Rwanda

National Service - “Urugerero Programme” is provided for in Article 48 of the

Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015. Urugerero

activities actually started on January 17, 2013 and it was officially launched in

Rwanda on January 22, 2013 in Rwamagana, Eastern Province by the then Right

Honourable Prime Minister Dr.Pierre Damien Habumuremyi. The National Itorero

Commission (NIC) organises various activities under Urugerero, whose outcomes

are paramount to national development.

Adoption of national service was inspired by the concept of

ubwitange(volunteerism) that was practiced by Rwandans in building the country.

This commitment led ancient Rwanda to great achievements such as the

expansion of the kingdom.

The Urugerero programme aims at developing programmes that enhance the

current efforts put in place to accelerate growth in all sectors of the economy by

adding a formalized voluntary service component.

The rationale of the volunteerism policy

• Educate Rwandans on the culture of volunteerism through activities of

national development;

• Provide a framework where people are able to make effective use of their

special skills and access unexploited potential which is an additional

contribution to national development;

• Build satisfaction among volunteers for their role in volunteer work for

increasing national production skills development associated with the

volunteering activities.

• Provide an appropriate institutional framework for effective management,

coordination and use of existingand future volunteer activities and resources.

• Provide a mechanism through which volunteer services can be recorded and

accorded national recognition.

Volunteerism in Rwandais currently exhibited through provision of services to the

community such as Umuganda,Ubudehe,Umusanzu (Communal self-help activities

based on solidarity), Abunzi,local government councils(Njyanama), Gacaca judges,

electoral commission agents, and community health workers (abajyanama

b’ubuzima)among others that do not involve any salary payment in return and

done out of free will for the purpose of benefiting the whole community.

The Government of Rwanda has adopted national service based on a combined

model (voluntaryandcompulsory). Initially, National service was compulsory for

the group between 18 and 35 years. People in that age category were officially

considered as part of the youth. Today, the youth age category is between 15 and

30. Other categories of the population will be allowed to participant on a voluntary

basis depending on their time,professional background and identified priorities.

The National Service programmes are based on national priorities that are

identified before the commencement of the service. Strategic choices namely vision,

goal, objectives to respond to the identified challenges are described to guide all

the programming processes of the Itorero programmes. A motto for the Urugero

has been proposed which states “Selfless service to the Nation”.

At the end of the service period, participants join together in their respective sites

to debrief on their experiences and lessons to inform planning for the following

intake. A closing ceremony is organized for them and during the ceremony; they

receive certificates of participation highlighting their contribution and experience

acquired in their placements. Exemplary participants are also recognised at this

ceremony.

There are voluntary interventions invarious sectors which the Government

of Rwanda has used volunteerism in such sectors like local governance,

justice,health and electoral processes. This Policy is aimed at providing

guidance on the management,rights, responsibilities and roles for both the

volunteer sand the volunteering organizations.

8.3.2 National service in other countries

Most countries have chosen the national service as an alternative way to involve

their population in nation building. The Countries which are described in this section

were chosen randomly; at least one country from each continent as an example.

National service in the United Kingdom (UK)

At the beginning in 1939, the national service enforced full conscription of all

males between 18 and 41 who were residents in the UK. It continued in a modified

form in peacetime by the National Service Act 1948. This Act of Parliament extended

the British conscription of the Second World War long after the wartime needs for it

had expired, in form of “National Service”.

The need for national service in the United Kingdom was inspired by the wartime

due to the need of more armed forces. The first phase of voluntary recruitment

was from 1916 to 1920 during the First World War and the second period from 1939

to 1960.

However, persons who were exempted from national service included the

following: medically unfit as well as the blind, disabled persons, and those with

mental disorders, British subjects from outside Britain  who had lived in the

country for less than two years, students, persons employed by the government

of any country of the  British Empire except the United Kingdom, clergy of any

denomination, married women, women who had one or more children 14 years old

or younger living with them, conscientious objectors, people working in  reserved

occupations like baking, farming, medicine and engineering.

The National Service Act 1948 was applied to all healthy young men who were

not registered as conscientious objectors. It did not affect the exemption from

service of registered as conscientious objectors or the procedure for registration.

The period of serving in national service in the United Kingdom varied due to

national interest. By 1946, the period of national service was 6 months and this

period was increased to 12 months in 1949. From this time, men who completed

the service remained on the reserve list for the number of years in the age-range

(four years) which started being counted from the moment they finished serving.

However, men on the reserve list could only be called for periods of up to 20 days

(previous acts allowed the period to be indefinite), and could not be called more

than three times. In 1950, due to the British involvement in the Korean War, the

national service period was extended to two years. To compensate this long period,

the reserve period was reduced by six months.

In the United Kingdom, the national service was ended gradually from 1960. In

November 1960, the last men entered in service and the last national service men

left the armed forces in May 1963.

National service in Israel 

In Israel, the national service is known under the conscription. This conscription

is for all Israeli citizens over the age of 18 years old who are Jewish and the

Arab citizens of Israel (Druze or Circassia) are not conscripted. The normal length

of compulsory service is two years and eight months for men (with some roles

requiring an additional four months of service), and two years for women.

The Israeli Defence Service Law regulates the duties and exceptions. According

to the Defence Service Law, the enlistment to the  Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) is

mandatory for all Israeli citizens who have turned 18 years old.

After the foundation of the State of Israel, the Defence Service Law passed in 1949

gave the Israeli Defence Forces the authority to enlist any citizen. Under this law, the

period of service for men was 30 months and for women 18 months (although in

accordance with a temporary order from January 10, 1968, six additional months

were added to the mandatory service, 36 months for men and 24 months for

women respectively).

The draft requirement applies to any citizen or permanent resident who has

reached the age of 18, and in accordance with the law, the individuals who are

exempt from the draft are dismissed for various reasons, such as incapability,

medical problems and military personnel needs. Exemption from military service

in Israel is given based on the following criteria: being expatiates, having medical

or psychological reasons, marriage, pregnancy or parenthood (for women only),

religious Israeli Druze citizens, Arab citizens of Israel and some young people are

exempted for holding a criminal record. Also, the security minister may exempt

certain people from an army service in the IDF, for reasons related to the volume of

the military forces or reserve forces, or for reasons related to educational needs,

settlement needs, security needs, economy needs, family needs and various other

reasons.

Furthermore, for those who cannot or do not wish to serve in the Israel Defence

Forces, there is an alternative voluntary civilian national service called Sherut Leumi. It

is a volunteer programme in Israel for young women between the ages of 18 and

21 years; though some men also participate, who cite religious reasons for opting

out of the requirement to serve in the Israel Defence Forces. It is also a popular

way for young Jewish volunteers from abroad to spend time in Israel. Volunteers

are matched with charitable organizations, like hospitals or orphanages, and live

together in a dorm-like setting. They serve for one to two years and are paid a

minimal salary.

National Service in Ghana

In Ghana, the national service is performed especially by the students who

graduate from accredited tertiary institutions. They are required to do a one year

national service in the country. The National Service Secretariat is the Government

of Ghana agency mandated to formulate policies and structures for national

service.

Every year, several tens of thousands of graduates from Ghanaian tertiary

institutions are posted to various sectors as service personnel. The service is done

irrespective of the type of sponsorship the individual may have received or the

country in which the tertiary course was pursued. The personnel upon posting to

an establishment is subjected to the rules and regulations that govern it. The service

personnel are paid monthly allowances approved by the Ministry of Finance in

Ghana.

All personnel are entitled to a month’s annual terminal leave for the year that spans

their service. The month leave is usually given in August to all personnel. The female

service personnel may apply for a three month maternity leave. When this leave is

granted, the personnel are to serve for three extra months to make up for the period

of service lost. The personnel who are granted maternity leaves are not paid during

the time of their leave.

The candidates for national service may on application be exempted from service

by the National Service Board on production of valid documentary evidence due to

the following conditions: an individual who has undertaken national service at an

earlier date and a graduate who is 40 years old or more.

By the end of national service, a service person shall be issued with a Certificate of

National Service after the successful completion of the service.

National Service in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the national service is known as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

It is an organization set up by the Nigerian government to involve the country’s

graduates in the development of the country. The programme was started in the

aftermath of the Nigerian civil war, the Biafra War, in the 1970s. Particularly, there

is no military conscription, however, since 1973; the graduates of universities and

later polytechnics have been required to take part in the National Youth Service

Corps programme for one year.

The National Youth Service Corps in Nigeria aims at:

• Inculcating discipline in Nigerian youths by instilling in them a tradition of

industry at work, and of patriotic and loyal service to Nigeria in any situation

they may find themselves;

• Raising the moral tone of the Nigerian youths by giving them the

opportunity to learn about higher ideals of national achievement, social and

cultural improvement;

• Developing in the Nigerian youths the attitudes of mind, acquired through

shared experience and suitable training which will make them more

amenable to mobilization in the national interest;

• Enabling Nigerian youths acquire the spirit of self-reliance by encouraging

them to develop skills for self employment to contribute to the accelerated

growth of the national economy;

• Developing common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national

unity and integration

• Removing prejudices, eliminating ignorance and confirm at first hand the

many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups;

• Developing a sense of corporate existence and common destiny of the

people of Nigeria.

Nigerian graduates are ineligible for employment in governmental establishments

(and few private establishments) till they have completed the mandatory one

year service. Graduates who are exempted from the service include those above

the age of thirty (30) and those with physical disability. Therefore, completing the

service entitles one to employment.

The National Youth Service Corps’ members are posted to cities far from their

city of origin. They are expected to mix with people of other tribes, social and family

backgrounds, to learn the culture of the indigenes in the place they are posted to.

This action is aimed at bringing about unity in the country and to help youths

appreciate other ethnic groups. There is an “orientation” period of approximately

three weeks spent in a military controlled boot “camp” away from family and

friends. There, they are militarily trained and receive instruction according to their

studies in secondary schools. There is also a “passing out ceremony” at the end of

the year and primary assignment followed by one month of vacation.

National Service in Singapore

In Singapore, the National Serviceis a constitutional requirementfor all male

Singaporean citizens and second generation permanent residents to undergo a

period of compulsory service in the uniformed services. Depending on physical and

medical fitness, they serve a two year period as National Servicemen Full time,

either in the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force or the Singapore

Civil Defence Force.

On March 14, 1967, the National Service (Amendment) Act was passed making

National Service compulsory for all 18 years old male Singapore citizens and

permanent residents. The establishment of National Service was a reaction to the

necessity to build a substantial military force to defend Singapore because, by the

independence, the country had only about 1,000 soldiers.

Singapore adopted a conscription model drawing on elements from the  Israel  and 

Swiss  national conscription schemes. Some 9,000 male youths became the first

batch of young men to be called up for National Service for establishment of the

Singapore armed forces. The period of National service is two years.

Complete national service exemptions are rare. It can be granted due to permanent

disabilities or severe medical conditions to be graded by Medical Board and other

exceptional case-by-case basis.

Those who are liable to serve national service as a national duty to the country but

refuse are charged under the Enlistment Act. If convicted, they face up to both

three years’ imprisonment and a fine of S$10,000 (equivalent to 8,550,000Rwf).

When a National Serviceman completes his full-time service, he is considered to be

“operationally ready”, and is thereafter known as an Operationally Ready National

Serviceman. In common parlance, the term “Reservist” is used, a vestige of the

older nomenclature preceding the current terminology. National Servicemen are

the equivalent of other countries’ reservists.

National Service in Brazil

National service in Brazil is known as Conscription and it is mandatory for every

male who has 18 – 45 years old and it normally lasts for twelve months. Some

are allowed six-month service terms but are expected to complete high school at

the same time. These are called “Tiros de Guerra,” or “shooting schools,” which are

for high school boys in medium-sized interior towns, run by army sergeants.

In case of a war, the period of conscription may be altered, according to the demands.

Seventeen-year-olds are allowed to undergo military service, as volunteers.

Conscription Brazil is regulated by the Military Service Law, created on August 17,

1964. Then, according to Article 143 of the 1988 constitution, military service is

obligatory for men, but conscientious objection is allowed. Women and clergymen

are exempted from compulsory military service.

The conscript system in Brazil is predominantly a means of providing basic military

training to a sizable group of young men who then return to civilian life and are

retained on the reserve rolls until age forty-five. The army recognizes that it provides

a public service by teaching large numbers of conscripts basic 

kills that can be valuable to the overall economy when the young men return to

civilian life.

Application activities 8.3

1. Explain the contribution of volunteerism in Rwanda.

2. Compare the national service in Rwanda with those of Nigeria and

Israel.

3. What do you think are the objectives of volunteerism in Rwanda? Are

they achievable? Justify your answer.

8.4 The contribution of the youth in the national service

Activity 8.4

Write a short text explaining the role that must be played by the youth in the 

In most countries, the youth represents the future of their countries; therefore, they

have a vital role to play in the development of each country through participating

in national service.

The training and participation of the youth contribute to the increase of national

army, where some become soldiers permanently or part time after accomplishing

military trainings. 

The youth is the manpower provider because they participate in national service

by offering their physical force in order to accomplish national service goals like

construction of houses for the poor families, repairing the roads, construction of

vegetable gardens for family consumption. In environmental protection, the youth

in national service construct terraces and plant trees in order to fight against soil

erosion.

As earlier stated, in Rwanda, the youth at Urugerero have contributed in making

data collection. Most data collected were about the number of illiterate people in

their area of operations, the cases of school dropout and children of school going

age who are not yet in school, of local population who have not yet registered

for health insurance (mutuelle), number of family living in illegal marriage and

vulnerable groups.

Through Urugerero, the graduates of senior six secondary schools also perform

different national duties in line with the Government’s notion of self-reliance

and dignity. The most activities the students are engaged in include  awareness

campaigns on development projects, HIV/AIDS, gender balance, family planning,

adult literacy and community work (Umuganda) among others. Furthermore, the

youth contribute in fighting and preventing people against the genocide and

genocide ideology, fighting against the drug abuse and sensitizing and mobilizing

local population about credit – saving through micro-finances like Umurenge SACCO. 

The youth also contribute in national service by contributing in service provision

and delivery to local population at sector and cell levels. Services delivered

including distribution of official documents namely identity cards and land

registration certificates. Data entry in computers and customer care are also done

by national service participants. This boosts the service delivery to the local

population. 

Application activities 8.4

1. Appreciate the contribution of the Rwandan youth in the national

service.

2. Discuss the benefits and challenges for the youth in carrying out

national service.

8.5 General roles of the national service in the nation building

Activity 8.5

Use internet and textbooks from your school library and carry out a research

about the contribution of Urugerero and volunteerism in the building of Rwanda.

In Rwanda, the National Service Urugerero programme aims at developing

programmes that enhance the current efforts put in place to accelerate growth in

all sectors of the economy by adding a formalized voluntary service component.

For instance, the participants have sensitized local population to join Mutuelle de

Santé, Umurenge SACCO and to participate actively in community service.

Through Urugerero, young people are supported to fulfil their potential and

to work together as a community. Each participant receives practical training

(training related to domains of service), training in civic education and basic military

training. This enables the participants to play a big role in economic and social

transformation of the country.

The national service increases solidarity among the Rwandan citizen as they are

initiated to help each other, strengthen national identity and reduces stereotypic

thinking by interfacing with the realities of the communities and the country in

general.

Through the military trainings provided to each participant, national service

promotes patriotism and civic participation especially among the young

generation.

By training the youth to fulfil national service activities, the country benefits from

the committed and motivated workers at no financial reward. The committed and

motivated workers often have a positive impact by influencing regular employee at

the work place hence contributing to the nation building.

Through the community service rendered to the local communities, national

service encourages social integration and cohesion necessary to national building.

In this regard, intore who are performing a range of activities are integrated in

those communities and have to work hand in hand with the local people who are

beneficiaries of such activities.

Participation in national service empowers those involved in different ways

including gaining new skills like leadership, problem solving, and interaction with

others among others. The participants are initiated to different tasks like planning,

design, building and other key roles throughout national service. Such practical

skills prepare them to contribute actively to the national building.

Participating in a national service programme offers members a unique

opportunity to develop personally and professionally. Research has proven

that those who participate in service increase their understanding of how they

can address social challenges. Being a national service member also provides

opportunities for enhanced problem solving skills, ability to work in teams and

planning abilities.

For people with disabilities, engaging in national service provides an additional

opportunity; to shift perceptions and show that people with disabilities can be

service providers, not just recipients of service.

In Rwanda, the volunteerism has contributed a lot to national development

where, in 2011 for instance, the volunteerism has contributed more than 30 % to the

national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Due to the work performed by community

health workers, local government officials and committees, election process

managers, mediators (abunzi), judges in Gacaca courts and Rwanda Red Cross, the

Government of Rwanda has saved about 70 billion Rwf.

In Rwanda, the national service is a continuation of the spirit of promoting positive

values among Rwandans, especially the youth. The values of unity, patriotism,

selflessness, integrity, responsibility, volunteerism, humility enhanced during the

national service contribute to the promotion of nation building.

National service encourages young people to enter careers in fields experiencing

shortages: In education for instance where the national service persons help in

adults teaching. To explore future job and educational interests can be motivation

to join national service for the young people and their career plans become more

community oriented.

Application activities 8.4

1. By considering your local area, evaluate the role of Urugerero

accomplished by senior six leavers in social transformation of Rwanda.

2. Appreciate the contribution of volunteers in rebuilding of Rwanda

since 1994.

End Unit Assessment

1. Describe the organization of Urugerero as national service in Rwanda.

2. Compare national service in different countries. Choose one country per

continent.

3. Explain the contributions of abunzi, mediators, and judges in Gacaca

courts, community health workers and election process managers in

national building of Rwanda.

4. Evaluate the role of the youth during Urugerero

GLOSSARY

Compulsory: That must be done because of the law or rule.Which is required,

obligatory or mandatory.

Peacetime: The period of time when a nation, a country or people is in peace,

not fighting a war.

Wartime: The period during which a country is fighting a war. A period during

which a war is in progress in a particular place.

Motto: A short sentence or phrase that expresses the aims and beliefs of a

person, a group, an institution or a nation, etc. and is used as a rule of behaviour.

Debrief: To ask someone questions about a job they have just done or an

experience they have just hard, in order to gather information. To question

someone after a military mission in order to obtain intelligence.

Intake: The number of people who are allowed to enter a school, college,

profession, etc. during a particular period.

Exemption: Official permission not to do something or pay something that you

would normally have to do or pay.

Enlistment: A voluntary service based on an individuals’ desire to serve a cause.

Amenable: Easy to control; willing to be influenced by somebody / something.