MANILA, Philippines – HANGAD ng Department of Education (DepEd) na gawing modernisado at i-promote ang mas inclusive scouting policy sa pangunahing edukasyon.
Sa isang kalatas, sinabi ni DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara na kailangan na matutunan ng mga scouts ang real-world skills sa pamamagitan ng mas pinahusay at mas maraming inclusive policy.
“We are modernizing these policies to ensure every learner gains access to real-world leadership skills, resilience, and a strong sense of civic duty in a safe, supportive environment,” ayon kay Angara.
Ito’y kasunod ng Stakeholders’ Convergence on the Harmonization of Scouting Programs sa Basic Education na idinaos noong Agosto 25.
Ang pagpapahusay sa scouting program ay nananatiling bahagi ng Quality Basic Education Development Plan and Five-Point Reform Agenda ng departamento sa ilalim ng liderato ni Angara.
Partikular na muling binisita ng mga stakeholders ang mga patakaran at kinonsidera ang rebisyon sa batas ukol sa Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Programs sa ilalim ng DepEd Order Nos. 76 at 86, series of 2012, ayon sa pagkakabanggit.
Binigyang din naman ni Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Senior Vice President Jose Mari Pelaez ang pangangailangan para mag-offer ng mga aktibidad na magpo-promote ng “well-rounded” learner development.
“Real-world challenges in implementing scouting programs in schools require updating current policies,” ayon kay Pelaez.
Habang binigyang diin naman ni Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) President Dr. Cristina Lim-Yuson ang kahalagahan ng patuloy na ‘close collaboration’ sa pagitan ng DepEd at community partners at maging ng inisyatiba ay hindi lamang basta pagpopondo kundi maging isang “shared responsibility.”
“Close collaboration with DepEd and community partners enables stakeholders to ensure education extends beyond academics to nurture confident, resilient, compassionate, and active learners,” ang tinuran ni Lim-Yuson.
Nakikita rin ng DepEd ang guidelines update bilang isang paraan para paghusayin ang “learning environments at protect learners’ physical and mental well-being through the development of character, leadership, and community service, which also curb school-based violence.”
“Scouting is not just a co-curricular activity; it is a cornerstone of character building. It’s about giving our learners practical tools like discipline, teamwork, and crisis management that ground them for life and directly enrich what they learn in class,” ayon sa Kalihim.
Sa ngayon, ginagawang modernisado ng DepEd ang mga alituntunin habang isinusulong ang mas malawak na policy reforms.
Layon ng mga repormang ito ang tugunan ang mga hamon kaugnay sa “school safety risks at learning disruption.” KRIS JOSE
