"Pramuka" and Nation Character

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

A scout troop performs at the 58th Scout Day ceremony at the Scout Campsite, Cibubur, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (14/8/2019). The ceremony, with the theme "Scouting movement with all nation elements ready to build the integrity of the Unity State of the Republic of Indonesia", was presided over by President Joko Widodo.

The commemoration of the 58th anniversary of the Gerakan Pramuka (Scout Movement) should be the opportunity to restore the function of the Scouts as an agent for character building.

The Scout Movement has a fine reputation. Not only for its relationship with nature and its love for the environment, but also as a medium for imbuing leadership, independence, discipline, tolerance and various other positive traits.

This is in line with the ideals of the formation of the Scout Movement. There was a Scout Movement even before Indonesia gained independence. Through Presidential Decree No. 238/1961, on 14 August, 1961 the Scout Movement became the Pramuka a portmanteau from “Praja Muda Karana”, meaning a young and creative soul.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

A cultural attraction enlivens the 58th Scout Day ceremony at the Scout Campsite, Cibubur, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (14/8/2019). The ceremony, with the theme "Scouting movement with all nation elements ready to build the integrity of the Unity State of the Republic of Indonesia", was presided over by President Joko Widodo.

President Sukarno as the Great Scout at the time even called the Scouts "the pillar of the later days [the future] of the Indonesian nation". Sukarno also prepared a Scout Headquarters, which was quite magnificent and not far from the Palace, precisely on Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur, Central Jakarta. It was an extraordinary appreciation and a demonstration of faith in the Scouts. In its journey, the National Scout Movement has also managed the Scout Bank, a shoe store, a farm and so on.

In terms of membership, the number of Scouts continues to grow. Currently the number of Scouts stands at around 17.2 million, the largest among the 162 member countries of the World Scout Movement (World Organization of the Scout Movement/WOSM). According to 2017 WOSM data, there are around 22 million members in the global community.

The large number of Scouts on one side is a matter of pride for us. However, on the other hand, numbers can lead to complacency and a degree of arrogance toward other countries. In fact, what is more important is the substance or content of Scouting activities.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Members of the Scout Movement take part in the 58th Scout Day ceremony at the Scout Campsite, Cibubur, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (14/8/2019). The ceremony, with the theme "Scouting movement with all nation elements ready to build the integrity of the Unity State of the Republic of Indonesia", was presided over by President Joko Widodo.

The figure of 17.2 million people is certainly high. Compare this with the numbers of students in Indonesia; 25.4 million elementary school students, 10.1 million junior high school students, 4.7 million senior high school students and 4.8 million vocational students. This means that nearly 40 percent of the total 45 million Indonesian students are Scouts.

This large membership is certainly very effective for education and character building, involving leadership, honesty, mutual cooperation, discipline, tolerance, independence and so on. The most important task is to arrange Scouting activities that are in accordance with students\' needs, in accordance with the needs of the nation, and in accordance with global development. The activities should be enjoyable, but also full of character-building education.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Members of the Scout Movement take selfies with President Joko Widodo at the 58th Scout Day at the Scout Campsite, Cibubur, East Jakarta, Wednesday (14/8/2019). The ceremony, with the theme "Scouting movement with all nation elements ready to build the integrity of the Unity State of the Republic of Indonesia", was presided over by President Joko Widodo.

The next task is that all parties, both the central and regional governments, must jointly take responsibility for developing the Scout Movement. Complaints that are often heard today include the difficulty of finding suitable and comfortable open land to carry out Scouting activities. These are complaints worthy of attention and we must find a solution together.