The Whole School Approach Scouting Program for Character Development: The Bhutanese Scout Leaders and Parents’ Perspectives

This study explored the perspectives of BSLs and parents on the roles and effectiveness of the WSAS Program in promoting character development among scouts in Paro district, Bhutan. Rooted in Bhutanese holistic education and Gross National Happiness (GNH) principles, the program aims to cultivate character traits such as self-discipline, teamwork, responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and resilience. Using a mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 324 respondents via survey questionnaires, and qualitative insights from 46 interviewees through semi-structured interviews. The instruments were validated by five experts using the Item Objective Congruence (IOC) method (score +1). Reliability was assessed through a pilot study, which yielded excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.99. Findings indicated a strong stakeholders’ consensus on the program’s positive impact, with parents and administrators reporting a highest level of agreement. Qualitative data emphasized the importance of culturally embedded practices and experiential learning in promoting ethical behavior, social responsibility, and emotional development. Despite challenges such as resource constraints and inconsistent implementation, the WSAS Program was recognized as an effective model for character education. The study recommended greater investment in leadership, resources, and collaboration to ensure sustainability. Highlights Purpose and Focus:This study explored the roles and effectiveness of the Whole School Approach Scouting (WSAS) Program in promoting character development among Bhutanese scouts, based on the perspectives of Bhutanese Scout Leaders (BSLs) and parents in Paro district, Bhutan. Positive Perceptions and High Agreement:The results indicated a strong consensus that the WSAS Program effectively cultivated the targeted character traits, with parents and administrators reporting the highest level of agreement. Mixed Methods Approach:Using a mixed-methods design, the study combined survey analysis with semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives.