Course Report on BULT Course for SEN School Teachers, Khuru Resort, Punakha

Scouts and Culture Education Division (Bhutan Scouts Association), for the first time has conducted, a Basic Unit Leaders Training for (BULT) SEN School Teachers at Khuru Resort in Punakha from 21-25 May 2022. 

The BULT for School with SEN is conducted with the following objectives:

• Equip SEN Teachers with Scouting essentials to enable them to facilitate the Scouting program in SEN schools 
• Promote inclusive Scouting and provide equal opportunity of education for life through Scouting to SEN children 

The training of the day commenced as early as 06:00 AM with participants going on a pace walk, doing aerobics, and B.P. Six exercises.  The sessions of the day were punctuated with spare time activities (STA) to recap the sessions and learn new things not covered in the sessions. A variety of evening programs (cultural night, campfire, quiz, etc.) are conducted by patrols on duty to refresh after a long day and to energize themselves for the patrol assignments which are mostly practical such as the making of gadgets which continued after the evening program, late into the night.

Through the training sessions, the participants were oriented on fundamentals of Scouting, history of Scouting in Bhutan and the world, Scouting ideals, adults in Scouting, youth program, flag ceremony, and duty change protocols, revised handbooks Nachung and Nazhoen, advancement and proficiency badges, ciphering and decoding, camping requirement, trail signs, first aid, etc.  

Guest speakers were also invited to enrich the course. Mr. Pema Norbu ofECCD & SEN division presented on ‘understanding the learning behaviors of SEN children. This was intended to let SEN School Teachers Scouts understand the challenges in conducting programs with SEN children. And Mr. Dawa Drukpa, Scout leader of Bjishong CS presented on Leadership, Ceremonies in Scouting, Types of Ceremonies, Membership Badge, and Code of Honor.

For the hands-on practice of the trail signs and outdoor learning aspects, participants were taken  for hiking to Kapji Hoka Tsho. It was fun and a moment for the patrols to further consolidate their team spirit.

To ensure that participants can start the Scouting program immediately after they reach their respective schools, an in-tray exercise to stimulate the processes and challenges involved was carried out. This was followed by action planning to come up with an action plan to initiate the program.

To add value and significance to the course our Chief National Commissioner, DG, Tenzin Thinley was virtually invited to address the participants.  He expressed his appreciation and urged all the participants to make Scouting more inclusive.   

The closing ceremony was graced by the Chief DEO of Punakha as the Chief Guest accompanied by the Scout Secretary of Punakha DSA. The Chief guest awarded the scarves and Course Director, Mr. Tashi Wangchuk awarded certificates to participants. Participants took the oath of allegiance and the program concluded with a cultural program.

Pictorial Glimpse of the Course: