In celebration of October as Scouting Month, the Department of Education (DepEd) is strengthening Scouting in basic education as a key co-curricular platform for developing learners who are ready to lead, serve, respond to emergencies, and contribute meaningfully to their schools and communities.
Through the proposed strengthened policy, DepEd aims to shift Scouting beyond occasional camping or extracurricular club activities into a structured, real-world development platform. The framework focuses on equipping young Filipinos with practical competencies in leadership, citizenship, community service, teamwork, environmental stewardship, safety, emergency preparedness, and other life skills that complement classroom learning.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the strengthened direction for Scouting is anchored on making learner development more practical, responsive, and relevant to the realities learners face inside and outside school.
“Scouting is more than learning how to tie knots or pitch tents; it is about building character and saving lives. We want our learners to be equipped with practical skills, like knowing exactly what to do during typhoons, earthquakes, or accidents,” Angara said.
A key direction of the policy is the contribution of Scouting to safer, more resilient school communities.
“By integrating these life-saving competencies into basic education, we are raising a generation of young Filipinos who are disciplined, ready to lead, and prepared to serve their communities in times of need.”
The policy aims to make Scouting more inclusive and accessible while protecting voluntary participation, learner safety, instructional time, and the welfare of teachers and other personnel involved in Scouting activities.
It also seeks to provide clearer guidance for schools and field offices on integrating Scouting into learner-development programs. This effort is carried out in close coordination with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP).
The proposed policy was validated during a multi-stakeholder workshop from October 5 to 8, 2026, which gathered DepEd officials, field implementers, learner representatives, and Scouting leaders.
Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez expressed support for the initiative, highlighting the value of Scouting in shaping active, values-driven, and responsible citizens, while DepEd officials and leaders from both the BSP and GSP likewise expressed support for strengthening the role of Scouting in learner development.
The initiative aligns with DepEd’s broader reform agenda and the Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP).
“By integrating these life-saving competencies into basic education, we are raising a generation of young Filipinos who are disciplined, ready to lead, and prepared to serve their communities in times of need.”
It also highlights real-life examples of inspiration within the Scouting community, such as Scout Chris Lorenz Fabian, whose courage and dedication to service embody the heroic spirit DepEd seeks to cultivate among learners and educators alike.
A key direction of the policy is the contribution of Scouting to safer, more resilient school communities. Through age-appropriate preparedness activities, first aid, risk awareness, outdoor learning, peer support, and community engagement, Scouting can help learners become more capable to respond to natural hazards and human-induced emergencies.
This holistic approach reinforces DepEd’s vision for the Batang Pinoy: a Filipino youth who is equipped with knowledge and practical skills, prepared to act during emergencies, active in sports and community life, capable of leading and working with others, and beginning to understand the education and career path they want to pursue.
Following the validation, the draft policy will undergo further technical refinement and review before being submitted for final approval and nationwide rollout.
