Philippines DepEd to modernize and strengthen school scouting programs

The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) is working to modernize and strengthen school-based scouting programs to make them more inclusive and responsive to the needs of modern learners. Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated that the initiative aims to provide students with practical life skills, including discipline, teamwork, crisis management, and civic responsibility.

The policy review follows a stakeholders’ convergence held on August 25, where officials from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Girl Scouts of the Philippines discussed revising DepEd Orders 76 and 86, which were originally issued in 2012. The updates are intended to align scouting with the agency’s Quality Basic Education Development Plan and Five-Point Reform Agenda.

Beyond character formation, the DepEd views the modernized scouting guidelines as a way to support learners’ physical and mental well-being, address school safety risks, and help prevent learning disruptions and school-based violence.