Guidance and counselling is a very important programme implemented in schools around the world. It is the process by which students are given advice on how to deal with emotional conflicts and personal problems, both in school and how to incorporate the same in their daily life. Some sessions also involve career guidance where students are advised on which courses to do and which jobs to expect when one does a particular course.
It allows students to talk about various things which they feel uncomfortable talking about with their parents. It also allows the students to become better people because they are taught by the counsellors about how to behave in a proper manner.
The programme also enables students undergoing difficulty in their lives to have a good place to ask questions and seek clarity from the guiding and counselling office. There are some questions that one may find difficult to ask even his/her parents, which can be raised without fear because the persons in charge are very willing to help.
The importance of guidance and counselling in the school system is also an imperative element to help address the challenge of violence in the school system. This has been recognised as especially paramount to efficiently combat acts of violence perpetrated by students against teachers and/or against fellow students.
Studies have shown that comprehensive developmental school counselling programmes positively impact students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the institutions among others. Among the many benefits are: the service prepares students for the challenges of the 21st Century through academic, career, and personal/social development; develops decision-making and problem-solving skills; encourages facilitative, cooperative peer interactions; broadens knowledge of our changing world; provides support for parents in advocating for their child’s academic, career, and personal/social development among other benefits. More importantly, it provides an interdisciplinary team effort to address student needs and educational goals.
Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine last year announced plans for the establishment of a central counselling body and to have trained counsellors in each school across the country. At that time, Roopnaraine pointed to the urgent need for counsellors within schools to help create an environment of learning. He also acknowledged that the rampant violence in society was finding its way into the school system. However, a tangible manifestation of such a body is yet to be presented.
Apart from subject teaching, teachers are entrusted with many responsibilities nowadays. Consequently, if these programmes were to be reinstituted in local schools (if they have not been already), then the teachers themselves need to undergo adequate training.
One cannot deny that students’ lives are getting even more complex day by day and it becomes even more vital that students understand that individual differences among themselves are expected, accepted, understood, and planned for. Just recently, two videos rose to notoriety on Facebook: one showing two schoolgirls engaged in what appeared to be a school yard fight and another , which captured an altercation between a teenage girl and an adult.
The majority of the students involved in these incidents lack a sense of direction, a sense of purpose and a sense of fulfilment. Therefore, they indulge in destructive activities, which unbeknownst to them, could lead to social damage and loss.
The provision of adequate guidance and counselling facilities is the only answer to help guide the youth to worthwhile channels and help them realise the goals of optimum academic, personal and social development.
Another quite effective service is the provision of peer counselling; this is based on the fact that young people often seek out other young people’s help and advice when they are faced with personal problems, especially in the areas of sexuality and family life. Therefore, though peer counselling, peer pressure can provide a positive influence for behaviour change. Students are likely to respond positively to messages from their peers, approach them often and influence them more.
Problems and needs in society are nothing new, but today they seem to be proliferating at an unprecedented rate. The unique problems in the changing family; conflicts in values, attitudes, and moral and economic factors; the changing role of work; new pressure and demands on school and problems of the youth – all point to the need for the counselling services.
