By Oluwakemi Ishola
Oyo State Government has expressed its readiness to reintroduce Boys’ Scout Club to public primary schools across the State, for character moulding and sound learning of pupils.
Dr Nureni Adeniran, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said this in Ibadan during an advocacy visit by the State Commissioner of Boys’ Scout.
According to a statement by the Board’s Media Team, Adeniran disclosed that subject to approval by the State’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Boys’ Scout will give pupils the opportunity to get first-hand insights on preparedness towards life.
He said it would complement the State Government’s efforts in moulding and modelling pupils, adding that this would attest to Governor Seyi Makinde’s absolute commitment to improve the basic education sector.
The SUBEB boss said the reintroduced club would be an improved adaptation of the moribund one, noting that the club would make pupils more responsible towards their academics and extra-curricular activities.
“We don’t mind reintroducing the Boys’ Scout club into our public schools’ system, because we realise that this will complement Governor Seyi Makinde’s quality education policy”.
He said the doors of the state government was open to suggestions and ideas, from clubs such as Boys’ Scout that would further build capacity of the education system in Oyo state.
According to him, the present government is doing so much to improve pupils’ reading culture and build their moral life by providing.
“The state government is also presently seeking more ways of improving the character and morale of our pupils. So, reintroducing Boys’ Scout is a very brilliant idea,” he said.
In his words, the State Commissioner, Boys’ Scout, Mr. Adetunji Adepeju, affirmed that the club has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
He said the Mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.
Therefore, he called on SUBEB to encourage at least 4 (four) staff in each school to present themselves for training as Scout leaders who shall monitor, maintain and sustain the packs and troops in the respective schools.
He noted that the club established by Baden-Powell teaches members to be prepared, adding that the club would teach pupils how to be prepared for learning and for the future.
