Service Learning Exposure in National Service Training Program: Implications to Civic Consciousness

Abstract

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) is a civic education and defense preparedness program for students instituted by the Philippine government byvirtue of Republic Act 9163, otherwise known as the NSTP Act of 2001. One ofthe aims of NSTP is to inculcate civic consciousness among Filipino youth throughthis program. However, as widely observed, not all students who completed NSTPhave imbibed such aim. The quality of program implementation could be a potentialfactor which includes service learning exposure and how this is translated tostudents’ sense of civic consciousness. Hence, this qualitative study aimed toanalyze the service learning exposure of NSTP students in the first semester,academic year 2018-2019 enrolled in a private university. Anchored on Dewey andFreire’s service-learning theory, service learning is a form of experientialeducation, deeply rooted in cognitive and developmental psychology, pragmaticphilosophy, and democratic theory. Using a case study design, eight participantswere purposively sampled and interviewed in a focus group. Consequently,interview data were transcribed and analyzed accordingly using Seidel’s (1998)model. Findings show that participants described their service learning exposure assomething that is practical, essential, fulfilling, and a spiritual calling. Based onthese themes, implications for civic consciousness were drawn. These identifiedthemes imply that service learning exposure seems to awaken one’s awareness,sensitivity, and consciousness of the needs of others; thereby seeking out for waysto do something to contribute for the common good. This underpins the crucial roleof NSTP program towards nation building. It is recommended that furtherenrichment of implementation be done to ensure sufficient service learningexposure identified to help raise the level of civic consciousness.