Call made to include scouts, guides in schools

A Morobe Scout commissioner wants boy scouts and girl guides programmes to be integrated into the education system to instill discipline in students.
Field commissioner James Loka Masia said the programmes should start with children as young as seven.
He was speaking at Interdenominational Christian School along Markham Road in Lae yesterday.
It was the second round of awareness after the first one at Salvation Army Lae Primary School last week.
“The programme instills discipline, good citizenship and leadership characters in children when growing up,” Masia said.
“Lack of student discipline has seen schools facing problems, and issues of students’ lack of discipline and social groupings
“The programme must be integrated into normal education system and must be compulsory to all schools.
“It teaches students about good citizenship, culture, emergency and scouts’ craft. It builds up children.”
There are currently 2005 scout members in the province with active programmes in Lae, Bulolo, Nawaeb and Finschhafen districts.
Masia said he aimed to complete the school awareness by the end of this month, with a target of enlisting 5000 boy scouts and girl guides in the province.
Interdenominational Christian School principal and founder William Bandi said scout and guide programmes disciplined students.
“Many schools are facing problems with students’ discipline,” he said.
“Scouts and guides will help shape them.”