ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to make scout training compulsory in all schools from the next academic year, which starts in September, Daily Times has learnt.
Two percent of the exam fees collected by examination boards all over the country will go to the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association and Girl Guides, separate from funds allotted to these organisations in the budget.
The provincial governments have been directed to make scout training compulsory in all schools to meet the target of Pakistan having over 1 million youth volunteers to help out in emergencies, such as the October 2005 earthquake. According to the last census, there were 526,581 scouts registered with nine boy scouts associations (BSAs) in the country.
The census reported that 37,699 scouts were registered with the Azad Kashmir BSA; 60,499 with the Balochistan BSA; 15,860 with the Islamabad BSA; 10,800 with the Northern Areas BSA; 129,169 with NWFP BSA; 2,377 with the Pakistan Railways BSA; 1,654 with the PIA BSA; 179,275 with the Punjab BSA: and 89,248 with the Sindh BSA. An inter-provincial meeting of education ministers last month recommended the reorganisation of the girl guides and boy scouts. All schools must also set aside time for physical training and sports activities from the next academic year. | Don't forget the merit badges for marksmanship and demolitions... |
|