Al-Tabtabaei: Scouting Movement is a Key Partner in Building Students' Personalities... and Developing Their Skills

Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaee affirmed that the Scout Movement, since its inception, has represented a crucial field in shaping youth, equipping them with skills and values, and fostering initiative, teamwork, and community service. He stressed the importance of continuing this role and developing its tools to keep pace with changing circumstances and ensure the sustainability of its mission.

This statement was made during the minister’s speech at the conference titled “The Scout Movement Between Volunteering and Economic Activity,” organized by the Kuwait Scout Association under his patronage. The event, which runs until Wednesday, is held in cooperation with the Arab Scout Parliamentarians Union and the Arab Pioneers Union. Al-Tabtabaee clarified that the conference addresses a significant topic concerning the future and sustainability of scouting activities, opening the floor for participating leaders and experts to exchange views and experiences on developing scouting work and enhancing its resources. This aims to preserve the core of its volunteer, educational, and humanitarian mission while strengthening its role in serving youth and society.

He emphasized that the Ministry of Education views the Scout Movement as a vital educational partner in shaping students’ personalities, given the practical environment it provides for developing leadership, discipline, teamwork, initiative, self-reliance, and community service. He noted the ministry’s commitment to supporting scouting and student activities and enhancing their role within the educational environment.

The minister pointed out that the Ministry of Education’s interest in the Scout Movement reflects a practical approach to expanding its presence in the educational sphere. For the first time, the ministry has included two specialized scout activity clubs in the summer school club programs for the 2025–2026 academic year: one dedicated to marine scout activities and the other to general scout activities. This step aims to provide broader educational spaces for learners to acquire skills, develop initiative, leadership, teamwork, and self-reliance, and instill values of volunteering and community service.

He added that, building on the encouraging results of this initiative, the Ministry of Education will continue to expand and broaden opportunities for participation in scouting activities for our sons and daughters. This will enhance the presence of the Scout Movement as an effective educational contributor in shaping personalities, developing skills, and deepening values of loyalty, belonging, citizenship, volunteering, and community service.

The minister further stated that the participation of scout leaders from 36 countries represents an international platform for dialogue, experience exchange, partnership building, and leveraging successful experiences in areas such as resource development, scout institution management, youth empowerment, volunteer work, and community partnerships.

The Minister of Education extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Kuwait Scout Association, specifically thanking the association’s board chairman, Dr. Abdullah Al-Tariji. He welcomed all participating delegations and scout leaders, wishing them a pleasant stay in Kuwait and success for the conference. He expressed hope that the conference’s outcomes and recommendations would contribute to supporting the Scout Movement, reinforcing its mission, and developing its role in serving youth and societies.

Over its days, the conference will discuss several topics related to the development of scouting work, enhancing the sustainability of its resources, and exchanging experiences and expertise among participating leaders. These discussions aim to support the Scout Movement’s role in youth development and community service while preserving its volunteer and educational mission.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Tariji, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Scout Association, stated that holding the conference in Kuwait represents an opportunity to exchange experiences and explore new horizons for developing the Scout Movement and enhancing its capacity for continuity and growth. He noted that the challenges facing scout institutions necessitate adopting more innovative approaches to resource management and finding sustainable sources to support programs and activities.

Al-Tarigi announced Kuwait’s successful bid to host the World Scout Conference in October 2027, making it the first Arab country to host the event. He described this achievement as a reflection of Kuwait’s standing in the international Scouting movement and confidence in its organizational capabilities.

The heads of Scouting and Guiding associations from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries held their seventh meeting on the sidelines of the conference, during which several matters related to the Gulf Scouting movement were discussed.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Tarigi stated that the meeting reviewed the key events and activities held in recent months, and noted that a comprehensive plan for Scouting and Guiding activities up to 2030 had also been developed.

He added that the meeting addressed several initiatives distributed among GCC member states, all aimed at benefiting young men and women by helping them acquire a wide range of skills and hone their talents through an integrated program for these activities.