In Video: Naval Scouts Included in Summer Activities to Foster Leadership and Discipline Among Students

Alaa Khalifa

At the outset, Ahmed Al-Dumkhi, Director of General Guidance for Scout Education at the Ministry of Education, stated that, under the directives of Minister of Education Eng. Syed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee, summer clubs have continued their operations, with scout clubs being included for the first time among the summer clubs for our students. He noted that these clubs aim to develop maritime skills, reinforce values of discipline, and enhance safety culture among students.

Al-Dumkhi pointed out that the summer scout club is divided into two sections: the Marine Scout Club in the Fintas area and the religious section at the Religious Institute in the Qurtaiba area. He explained that the Marine Scout Club offers students practical activities, including learning freestyle swimming, workshops on fishing methods and types, marine navigation, and beach volleyball. Additionally, students are taught Kuwaiti maritime heritage, ship types and nomenclature, and marine obstacles (strength and endurance). The club also provides recreational sports workshops, camping workshops to assist them in camps and trips, and a culinary workshop to teach students various cooking methods and safety procedures.

He clarified that registration for the Marine Scout activity is open to Ministry of Education students across all educational stages, emphasizing their commitment to selecting the appropriate age group for each activity to ensure student safety. The Marine Scout activity runs from Sunday to Thursday, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, until the end of August, and he praised the students’ enthusiasm for registering in the Marine Scout activity.

Student Safety

For his part, Nawaf Mohammed, a Marine Scout leader, said that as the person in charge of the kayak workshop, he teaches students how to ride kayaks and introduces them to safety and security rules before use. He also ensures that students are proficient swimmers before participating in marine activities, with both internal and external instructors present with students during the activity. He noted that weather and sea conditions are checked before engaging in any marine activities to safeguard student safety.

Mohammed praised the students’ enthusiasm for participating in the activity, which is being held for the first time this year, and encouraged them to enjoy the beneficial activities during the summer vacation.

In the same vein, Badr Al-Muwail, a Marine Scout leader, mentioned that among the Ministry of Education’s activities during the summer vacation is the Marine Scout program, including the activity he is responsible for: teaching knot-tying on buoys, such as the wedge knot, square knot, and woodcutter’s knot, as well as different types of ropes. He explained that these skills are applied by students in a practical project that helps build confidence in their abilities and enables them to enter the sea with assurance.

Diverse Activities

“Al-Anbaa” also spoke with several participating students, including Rashid Al-Fadli, an eighth-grader at Abu Al-Qasim Al-Shabi Intermediate School, who confirmed his participation in the Marine Scout activity this year. He expressed his great admiration for it, thanking the Ministry of Education for its keen interest in students not only during the academic year but also during the summer vacation. He also thanked all the trainers who strive to teach students everything that is useful and enjoyable in the Marine Scout activity.

Al-Fadli expressed his happiness at learning kayaking and swimming in the sea, along with other activities such as fishing.

For his part, Dhaari Al-Fadli, a seventh-grader at Abu Al-Qasim Al-Shabi School, said, “I would like to thank all the trainers at the Marine Scout Club for what we have learned. We also thank the Ministry of Education for granting us this wonderful opportunity.” He called on all students to register and participate in the club, which has enabled them to learn kayaking, freestyle swimming, fishing, beach volleyball, and more.

In the same context, Dawood Al-Kandari, a sixth-grader at Al-Mulla Saud Al-Saqer School, stated that he participated in the Marine Scout activity and benefited greatly from it, learning many things such as swimming, kayaking, fishing, and navigating obstacles.

Fishing Workshop

As part of the activities, Abdulaziz Al-Fudairy conducted a workshop for students titled “Fishing: Past and Present,” where they were introduced to traditional and modern fishing methods and the differences between them. He explained that some traditional fishing methods include Al-Hadaq, Al-Qarqoor (Al-Bayta), and Al-Hadra, while modern methods include trolling and jigging.

This step reflects the Ministry of Education’s commitment to diversifying student activities and utilizing the summer vacation to develop skills. Under the directives of Minister of Education Eng. Syed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee, a new activity was launched this year for the first time: “Marine Scouts.” This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s vision to develop summer programs, instill values of discipline and teamwork among students, and strengthen their connection to maritime heritage.

“Al-Anbaa” visited the Marine Scout Club in the Fintas area and met with the Director of General Guidance for Scout Education at the Ministry of Education, trainers, and several participating students, who confirmed that registration is open to Ministry of Education students from all educational stages, with careful attention to selecting the appropriate age group for each activity in accordance with safety and security standards, which are a top priority. The Marine Scout activity runs daily from Sunday to Thursday, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, until the end of August. The details follow: