Government subsidizing fees for scouting

The government will be subsidizing the membership fee for scouting of some public elementary school pupils before the year ends.

Department of Education Regional Director Carolino Mordeno said pupils from grades one to four in public elementary schools have been exempted from Boy Scout fees starting this opening of classes because of the government’s plan for a subsidy.

But schools may still collect the P35 fee from those in grades five and six, as well as those in high school. Mordeno emphasized that membership to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines is not compulsory.

Those who are willing to pay, however, can pay the P35 fee, which would entitle the student to an accidental and death insurance.

But schools remain apprehensive to collect the P35 fee owing to a recent order of DepEd that no school should collect fees from pre-school to grade four students. DepEd Order No. 18, series of 2008 or the “no-collection policy” covers the authorized but voluntary contributions such as membership those for BSP, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Red Cross, Anti-TB Fund, and Parent-Teacher Association.

The order was to ensure that no child would be denied of education, as DepEd has been receiving complaints on fees collected during last year’s opening of classes. 

With the order, schools have abstained from collecting fees starting last month’s opening of classes.

The scout movement reached Philippines in 1910 when the first “Scouters” sought to afford young people the opportunities of “learning with adventure” in an outdoor setting using the patrol and group method. Unfortunately, the first “Scouters” have lost their identity through time.

In 1923, the Scout Method received formal organization in the Philippines with the founding of the Philippine Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting in the country has grown exponentially since then. — Ferliza C. Contratista and Jessica Ann L. Pareja/JMO