(4 minutes read)
In general, when we speak of counselling in Pakistan, we notice there's very little notion of counseling that is present. We also do not see counselling as common as it should be, even in today's world, where we face so many social, personal and psychological issues.
Although awareness is on its way and some schools have started looking into having a counselling unit in their premises, there is still a long way to go. Majority of schools in Pakistan do not have any counselling facility for the students to turn to in times of need and to share their issues.
If done right, guidance and counselling play a vital role in the grooming and upbringing of children. A counsellor provides students with academic, career and socio-emotional guidance. In today’s world of advancement it is very important to keep check and balance on the growing youth, and here we are not just talking about their physical growth but also their emotional, mental, character and career growth. Schools serve as the first roof for the overall development of children while also being the place where most academic, emotional, social and vocational problems arise.
A student or school counsellor can not only provide benefit and support to individual students but also aids in raising the working environment of the school on the whole. When the school environment is healthy, it caters to the overall personality development of students along with providing the administration, teachers and parents an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of children development.
The role of the school counsellor is multifaceted and can be a useful addition to any schools team in the following ways:
HELPING STUDENT
- Providing aid on psychological and social issues. School counsellors might provide information to students about issues student face such as bullying, estrangement or offer seminars on skills to improve organization, study habits, and time management and mental health problems
- Career counselling and academic help. School counsellors help students explore their skills, prepare for college or select careers. They help them identify objective they have for life, help in subject selection, and assess aptitudes through assessments and tests.
- Dealing with stress, anxiety and behavioural issues. School counsellors often help students with stress and anxiety and resolve conflicts. They also provide short-term counselling service to students during school hours where they could help with issues such as anger management and behavioural issues.
- Help with early intervention. School counsellors have knowledge and training about learning difficulties and psychological concerns that commonly manifest in children and adolescents. They might help in identifying them in earlier years and providing referral to professionals and educate parents about mental health
- Group and co-curricular activities. Additionally a counsellor helps students participate in group counselling, team work and involvement in co-curricular activities. These activities enhance social skills, help in empathizing with others, and find social support through friends and peer relations.
PARENTS SUPPORT
- Advice and coordinate with parents. Counsellors also offer families strategies on parenting and helpful advice on how to connect with children and improve learning.
- How to provide supportive home environment. They discuss with parents on issues related to home environment, abuse and any particular problem that the student is facing and how to provide the student with the learning environment
- Educate parents: a school counsellor may also offer workshops or classes to parents, with or without their kids, about topics such as study skills or preventing drug abuse and how to deal with behavioural issues that arise in school years
WORKING WITH THE TEACHER
- Dealing with issues between students and teachers. Counsellors also serve as a mediator between the students and the teachers. They notify the teachers of issues happening in the classroom and if a certain student needs help and help resolve problems that occur between the students and teachers
- Aiding teacher in classroom management. In addition they gather and share resources with the teachers in developing and implementing classroom management techniques and programs to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness to help students understanding
WORKING WITH ADMINISTRATION
- Convey needs and issues of students. Provide a lot of support to the administration by completing a team to effectively address the educational goals and needs of students, leading to an increase in student achievements.
- Assess academic programs and co curricular activities. They ensure that the school counselling program and academic mission are in line and promote student success in all areas of life. They help the administration in developing programs and activities that address issues faced by students.
Having counsellors and guidance units in schools and colleges could prove very beneficial for the students as well as schools and contribute to the development of socially, academically and emotionally secure future generations. The government should ensure that every school in the country must have at least one counsellor in order to promote guidance and counselling of students. Each student is equipped with different levels of skills and creativity, and a little guidance may go a long way to help them excel in life.
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