School education minister Dadaji Bhuse on Wednesday directed officials to make Scout-Guide training mandatory for around 2.1 crore students across 1.08 lakh schools in Maharashtra, expanding a programme that currently covers 17.33 lakh students in 30,000 schools.
The directives aim to extend the programme to schools across all mediums and managements, with activities focused on patriotism, discipline and teamwork.
Under the proposed plan, schools will conduct parades, marches and drills to patriotic songs. “Two periods every week will be dedicated to Scout-Guide activities under the ‘Ananddayi Shaniwar’ (Joyful Saturday) initiative,” Bhuse said.
“The school education department will organise seven-day training programmes at the taluka level for teachers to prepare them to conduct these activities. It will also bear the cost of training students from Zilla Parishad schools and pay trainers’ honorariums,” Bhuse said.
The department is also considering increasing the merit points awarded to students who receive Scout-Guide honours. Students who win the state-level award currently receive three points, while President’s Award recipients receive 10 points. Bhuse has directed officials to prepare a proposal to increase these points.