Scouts back in Myanmar after 50-year ban

Yangon -- Myanmar authorities have lifted a 50year ban on the Scout Movement, hoping now to encourage children to join the association, state media said Monday.

Tin Nyo, a former education minister, said the Scouts had been formed nationwide in the state school system to allow children to improve their "moral, physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing", the New Light of Myanmar reported.

Boys and girls will be encouraged to join the Scouts, said Tin Nyo, chairman of the Scouts supervisory committee.

The association was officially relaunched on January 1 with 1,800 members, the report said.

Deutsche PresseAgentur