The Chief Scout of the Maldives, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has stated that broadening the scout movement in the country would help tackle many social issues. The President was speaking Monday evening at the National Scout Day gala event held in Kurumba Maldives, to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the introduction of scouting in the Maldives.
Some of society’s main problems, the President said, that could be alleviated by expanding the scout movement include the prevalence of drug abuse, gang crimes, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. The movement primarily focuses on students, which ends with completing secondary and higher secondary schools, driving idle youth towards criminal activities. He added that providing the opportunity for young people to continue in the movement after their graduation would shape them into productive members of society.
The President recalled that the scout movement sought to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full potential as individuals, citizens, and members of society. He assured the council members of the Scout Association of Maldives of the administration’s commitment to assist in developing the movement in the country and announced his decision to designate an island for scouting activities under the Ministry of Education.
At the gala event, the President presented badges and certificates to four recipients of the "Silver Tuna"—the highest honour in national scouting—and two recipients of the Scout Awards.
