Scouting can curb school bullying –Lagos commissioner

The Lagos State Ministry of Education has said it will set up a committee to implement scouting programmes in all schools across the state as a measure to combat bullying.
Speaking during his investiture into scouting by the Lagos State Scout Council, Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Tolani Alli-Balogun, said that having as many students as possible involved in scouting could significantly enhance school safety.
Alli-Balogun in a statement made available to The PRIMANEWS on Wednesday, was inducted alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Abayomi Abolaji.
“We are forming a committee to implement scouting in all our schools. I will liaise with the 20 local government chairmen and 56 LCDA chairmen in Lagos State to collaborate on this initiative. We need to actively engage the students. Once we demonstrate the benefits and activities of scouting, their natural interest will be piqued. Talking about it is not enough; we need to showcase it to enlist their interest in scouting.
“The more students we have involved in scouting, the more we can enhance the overall safety in our schools,” Alli-Balogun said.
He maintained that  the goal of the ministry was to reintroduce the positive aspects of scouting into the current school system.
Also speaking, the commissioner of the Scout Association of Nigeria, Lagos Council, Mr Olohuntoyin Adebesin, said society had lost many of the basic values that should be upheld, adding that reintroducing scouting in schools could greatly benefit society.
“Scouting has a comprehensive curriculum with three levels: primary school scouts, secondary school scouts, and university-level scouts. Our primary focus is teaching morals. Scouting educates young people on how to behave in society, respect their elders, and help others at all times. Until we can foster concern for others, we won’t get it right, and this is something our country is missing today, “ he said.
Adebeshin also criticised private schools who Had commercialised scouting.
He explained, “Many private schools have commercialised scouting, turning it into a social club where you must pay to join. But true scouting requires sincere effort. Our society has lost many of the basic values we should be upholding, and reintroducing scouting in schools could greatly benefit society.”