MOE approval for Girls to join Scouts in 2007

Dear all,

finally MOE has agreed to allow Girls to Join Scouts in Secondary Schools! Watch out for some girl scouts next year. However, Arrow remains a "Boy" Scout Group. The Girls will do the same thing as the Boys i.e they will complete the same Scout Standard, Advanced Scout Standard, First Class and CCA. If the Girls are expected to do the same thing, it will be a shame if you guys cannot achieve the progress badges.

Here's the circular released to Principals.

Group Scout Leader

EDUN N11-11-002-V18

11 July 2006

Principals of All Primary & Secondary Schools

RECRUITING GIRLS INTO SCOUTING

1 In recognizing the value of giving students flexibility and more choices in CCAs, the Ministry of Education has granted permission to the Singapore Scout Association (SSA) to recruit Girls into Scouting at the Primary and Secondary levels from January 2007. Currently, girls are already involved in the Scout's Ventures and Rovers programmes.

2 The SSA is registered under the World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM) and data gathered from the international organisations indicates that there are a number of countries that have allowed girls to be recruited into scouting. The Scouting programme for both the boys and the girls is similar and hence the SSA will adopt an integrated approach to training similar to the model in use by the Red Cross and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Similar to other uniformed groups, schools need to ensure that female officers are present for all overnight activities.

3 The Chief Commissioner of the SSA will be writing to schools officially on recruiting girls into scouting in due course.

This circular has also been posted on the MOE Intranet. For clarifications, please contact:

Mr S Rajasekaran
Head, Uniformed Groups
DID: 64609839
LOTUS: S RAJASEKARAN/MOE/SINGOV
Email: S_RAJASEKARAN@moe.gov.sg


Thank you.



ANDREW CHEW
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
CCA BRANCH
EDUCATION PROGRAMMES DIVISION
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION