Some academic institutes encourage the learners to participate in unpaid work. I believe that volunteer work has numerous benefits, such as building social skills. However, there are some demerits too, which I will explain in the following paragraphs.
First and foremost, the advantage of participating in the unpaid work allows children to build their social skills. Most of the volunteer work happens in groups, which provides them a chance to communicate, to discuss and to delegate the tasks. For example, in 2025, Sheridan school students took part in cleaning the parking lot as unpaid work. They teamed up in different groups, where they discussed their roles and responsibilities. As a result, they became more confident communicators and better prepared for the collaborative tasks in future.
On the other hand, the disadvantage of taking part in volunteer work in the schools can cause an extra burden to the children. When learners choose to take part in the unpaid work, they not only take responsibility for their roles but also have to learn their academic subjects. Over time, this can cause stress to pupils, affecting their exam scores. Therefore, students suffer from extra stress and burden when they enrol in unpaid work.
In conclusion, it is apparent that every coin has two sides. Volunteer work helps children build their social skills; however, it puts an extra load on their shoulders. I believe school authorities should wisely monitor the enrolment in unpaid work, as it can be promoted during summer and winter vacations to avoid unnecessary workload.