Yunlin County Promotes 'Scout Troop in Every School' to Combat Declining Birth Rates

Facing a demographic challenge of declining birth rates, Yunlin County in Taiwan is launching an initiative to establish a scout troop in every school. This program aims to equip children with crucial life skills, fostering teamwork, building confidence, and preparing them for future challenges.

County Magistrate Chang Li-shan emphasized that scout activities are vital for developing children's abilities in cooperation, unity, wilderness survival, rule-following, and service. These are considered essential "soft skills" for navigating the era of declining birth rates. Chang highlighted that businesses increasingly seek individuals who can work harmoniously in teams and collaborate effectively, underscoring the importance of attitude in professional success.

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Scouts, through team activities, cultivate and train children in cooperation, unity, wilderness survival, rule-following, and service, which are precisely the soft skills children need most in the global era of declining birth rates.

The scout program emphasizes learning through practical experience, allowing members to accumulate knowledge, master hands-on skills, and build self-assurance. It also cultivates camaraderie, loyalty, and leadership qualities, which are seen as key competitive advantages for children in the future.

Yunlin County's Education Department is providing an annual subsidy of NT$7,500 per troop for operational expenses. The county has seen a significant increase in scout troop participation, growing from 100 to 168 troops between August 2023 and June 2024. The goal is to ensure every school has at least one troop by the 2025 academic year. Taiwan is also set to host the 2029 World Rover Moot, with plans to organize international conferences and workshops in Yunlin, featuring diverse exploration routes.

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Businesses need people who are harmonious and know how to cooperate; attitude determines your height.