THE Education Ministry is considering introducing more extracurricular activities in primary schools to help students utilise free time after external exams.
Speaking at the Nadi Scouts Rally at the Hindu Mahasabha School at Tunalia, Nadi, on Saturday, Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy said some of these activities included scouts and girl guides activities.
“We want to use the free period after the Year Six and Year Eight exams to equip them with life skills learnt during these activities,” he said.
Nadi Scouters Council district commissioner Arnold Kumar also voiced concerns about the lack of training programs for scout leaders in the country.
“It is very hard for the association and the council to organise training programs and host events,” he said.
“The council also faces financial constraints because we are volunteers and we have tried our best to seek help from donors to carry out this program.”
Mr Kumar said at present, schools were utilising their physical education grants for such extracurricular activities.
Responding to the concerns, Mr Reddy said they would assist the scout’s movement.
“We want every school to engage in scout and girl guides,” he said.
Students from close to 20 schools in Nadi were part of the rally.
