The Scouting Programme as a means of non-formal education

Abstract

Education is sometimes confined to schooling only; however, it comprises much more than that. The Scout Movement is recognised as a global educational organisation and provides its members with a non-formal educational programme. The main aim of this study was to investigate the education through different pedagogies occurring in Scouting, particularly the training programme within the Scout Association of Malta (TSAM) and how this is being achieved through the different scout groups around the island. Different types of education were investigated and looked upon, such as holistic and non-formal education and how they are implemented in the scouting movement. The training programme was also investigated upon and different perspectives and thoughts about the programme were given from the training committee and the scout leaders. The study was observed from three (3) different perspectives: the experience of the training commissioners representing the committee who are the creators and reviewers of the training programme participating in an interview, the experience and involvement of three (3) group scout leaders from different scout groups (one from each district in Malta) who also participated in an interview, and the experience of forty eight 48 scout leaders from the respective scout groups who gave information about the topic from first-hand experience who participated in a questionnaire. The research showed that Holistic and Non-Formal education are fundamental to teaching in Scouts and that the training programme teaches both children and leaders certain skills and values which they will use in the future. Hence, this benefits their development and through such education, they will eventually become good, responsible and active citizens in our society.