NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME

National Service Scheme is a Central Government Educational Programme started in the year 1969.It is functioning under the ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at the national level and under the Ministry of Higher Education at the State level. The National Service Scheme unit no:40 of St.Stephens College Uzhavoor is under Mahatma Gandhi University National Service Scheme cell.

The Major aim of National Service Scheme is the development of the personality of students through community service.It provides an extention dimension to the higher Education system and orient the student youth to community service while they study in an educational institution as envisaged by Mahatma Gandhi,the 'Acharya' of National Service Scheme.

OBJECTIVE

The broad objectives of NSS are to:

  • understand the community in which they work;
  • understand themselves in relation to their community;
  • identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem solving process;
  • develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility;
  • utilize their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and community problems;
  • develop competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities;
  • gain skills in mobilizing community participation;
  • acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude;
  • develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters;
  • practice national integration and social harmony;

NSS Programmes

National Service Scheme has two types of programmes : Regular Activities and Special Camping Programmes. Students enrolled as NSS Volunteers are expected to work in the scheme for a period of two years and also participate in Special Camping Programmes of 7 days duration.

Regular Activities

NSS volunteer undertake various activities in campus adopted, villages and slumps for community service. Duration of these service is 120 hours ie. 20 hours for orientation of NSS volunteers, 30 hours for campus work and 70 hours for community service. In regular NSS programmes students undertake various activities in the college campuses, adopted villages, cities and slums during weekends. Adoption of a village or an area is a meaningful programme in NSS.

Special Camping Programme

Special Camping Programme is a camp of seven days duration in adopted places and it provides unique opportunities to the students for group living, collective experience sharing, sharing responsibilities, addressing various developmental issues of regional and national importance and constant interaction with the community. 50 percentage NSS volunteers are expected to participate in these camps.


Achievements

  • Received Best NSS unit of Mahatma Gandhi University Award for the year 2017-18
  • Sri Jimmy James received the certificate of merit from the University for an outstanding NSS programme officer (2017-18)
  • Dr. Merly K Punnoose received a certificate of appreciation from the University for her outstanding performance as NSS Programme Officer (2019-20)

Programme Officers

CA Kurian V John

Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce

Tina Jose

Assistant Professor, Department of English