Should Interns Get Paid?

All this time, I thought there was an allocation given to interns during the period of their exercise, until I met one of my friends recently who was doing her internship in a federal hospital.

I was shocked when I learnt that all her expenses were on her. The hospital is outside of our local government, and because it is situated in a student area, accommodation there is very expensive. I don't want to talk about feeding and transportation.

The first question I asked her was, “How are you coping?” I don't know the thought behind not providing interns with certain allowances during their service, but the idea doesn't sit well with me at all.

Although there are some organizations that give little allocation to interns, occasionally, and that's wise of them.

Even though sometimes it's not something to write home about, I am certain that it is a big source of motivation to students, especially those from humble backgrounds.

Life is difficult out there; surviving is not a small battle. Everything costs money. If we were human enough, saying that interns are acquiring free knowledge that may benefit them for a lifetime, so they shouldn't be given financial support, doesn't sound logical.

If we are judging it that way, then what are we going to say about the services they are rendering?

I can remember when I was doing my teaching practice, I spent my personal money to work and also feed myself while learning how to teach.

Immediately, I became familiar with the craft; my head teacher left everything to me; he stopped coming to class, he stopped making notes, lesson plans, and even providing teaching aids.

I made provisions for everything until I was done. Between man and God, a penny never joined me with the man nor the school till I graduated.

At one point, I had to trek to work and stay hungry. I had nothing to hold onto, I was financially drained, and how I made it through was a complete miracle. I am sure most of you can relate to this.

Interns also render services, and if it is on me, I think a stipulated amount should be allotted to them monthly for the services they are rendering.

Some places are expensive to live in; it's not fair to watch interns struggle to meet up while they still render services.

Put yourself or your child in their shoes, and you may understand better. Sometimes interns even work more than the workers, just like my case, some workers are waiting for interns to master the skill so that they can leave everything to them.

Since the company is also benefiting from them, why won't the company also make provision for the interns to benefit from it?

It's not fair at all. So if you ask me if interns should be paid while they serve/learn. I will say “yes,” they merit it.

Such a question is not even supposed to be asked; it's something that ought to be done. It will not only help them survive the cost of living, but it will spur them to give their all to learn.

N.B: All Images Were Generated By Gemini AI