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SRINAGAR: In a positive step to improve student growth and well-being, the Private Schools Association (PSA) has highlighted the need to introduce Bharat Scouts and Guides units in schools across the Kashmir Valley. The suggestion was made during a meeting between PSA Director Media & Communications Dr. Owais Mattoo and Secretary Bharat Scouts and Guides Nazir Ahmad Mir.
During the interaction, Dr. Mattoo emphasized that structured platforms such as the provide a disciplined and purposeful channel for students to engage in productive activities. He urged all educational institutions to establish dedicated scouting and guiding units, noting that such initiatives contribute significantly to shaping responsible, confident and socially aware students.
Highlighting concerns around rising substance abuse among youth, Dr. Owais Mattoo stressed that active participation in scouting programs can act as a preventive mechanism by promoting positive engagement. He stated that “All schools across the valley must form a unit of Bharat Scouts and Guides and actively involve students in their programs to keep them engaged in positive and skill-building activities, thereby steering them away from the menace of drug abuse,”.
The PSA further outlined the wide-ranging benefits of scouting and guiding for students’ overall fitness and health. Regular outdoor activities, physical training and adventure-based learning inherent in scouting contribute to improved physical fitness, stamina and healthy lifestyle habits. At the same time, these programs foster mental well-being by reducing stress, enhancing focus and building emotional resilience through teamwork and problem-solving experiences.
Dr. Mattoo added that scouting instills essential life skills including leadership, discipline, self-reliance and community service. Participation in group tasks and social initiatives nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose among students, which is crucial for maintaining positive mental health in today’s fast-changing environment.
Reaffirming its commitment, the PSA assured full support to schools willing to adopt and implement scouting programs. The Association emphasized that integrating such co-curricular frameworks within the education system will help cultivate a generation that is physically fit, mentally strong and socially responsible. The Private Schools Association (PSA) also called upon school heads, principals, educators and parents to collectively support this initiative, recognizing that a collaborative approach is essential to creating a safe, healthy and progressive environment for the youth of the region.
