The Student Scheme

The Student Community Service Programme (SCSP) was a scheme introduced by the Government in last year's mini-budget. Under the scheme, community organisations and Local authorities could apply for students to carry out work for them, provided the work was such that it would not be done without financing under this programme. The types of schemes approved included holiday programmes, maintenance and upgrading of community facilities, creche services, employment programmes, social work, opening of school swimming pools over the holidays, research and surveys.

For nearly all involved the SCSP was a success. The students working on the various schemes enjoyed their jobs since the work was fairly interesting and the pay (according to the rates usually given to students) on average was fair. Community organisations and local authorities were able to extend their services where otherwise they would have been unable to. The community benefited from all the extra services available and the Government got lots of good publicity.

So why was there a programme set up especially for students when so many people are disadvantaged these days and why was it extended so far? (The initial finance given to the programme was $120,000. By the end of the programme this had risen to over $1,000,000)

The official reason was that by creating jobs which would not otherwise be available, it was hoped that students would not take jobs from school leavers as has happened in the past.

It is questionable whether this first aim was achieved and whether it was more important than creating jobs for all those who have lost their jobs over the past year and can't find employment. Unemployment figures were closely watched by the Department administering the programme and although in some small towns a saturation point was reached where jobs were available but not students, this was not true in the larger centres.

It could be speculated that one reason for the programme was that the Government hoped to distract student attention from the rapidly worsening employment situation. Students are traditionally amongst the first to protest when something is wrong with the country and this would be one way of buying them off.

The future of the SCSP is yet to be decided. If you worked on the scheme and have any ideas as to how it could be extended, improved or anything else, write in and tell us. If you had any hassles tell us about those too. Any decision made will directly affect you and you might as well have your say beforehand.

Lamorna Rogers