Dimapur, Sep. 2 (EMN): Expounding on the importance of counselling in this modern era where many students are confronted with anxiety, depression and suicidal tendency, the principal director of School Education, Shanavas C, called upon the teachers to be compassionate and passionate about counselling as they are dealing with children who are the future of the society.
Shanavas stated this at the inaugural function of the nine-month diploma in school counselling for 3rd batch at Siemat Hall of SCERT in Kohima on September 2. The programme was sponsored by Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland, stated a DIPR report on Thursday.
Shanavas stated that the pandemic has created a tough time for everyone, especially the students as they are made to go through different kinds of challenges. Describing adolescence as a crucial phase where children at that age could be influenced into bad habits, he stated that whatever incidents that an adolescent faces in this phase stay with her/him throughout their life.
He, therefore, asked the teachers present in the programme to be good listeners and emphasise on the students.
Professor and head of guidance and counselling cell at SCERT, Dr. Zavise Rume informed that guidance and counselling programme started only in the 1980s and gradually became the most important cell for activities in SCERT. He added that the proposal for upgrading the diploma course from six to nine months was approved in July 2017 and SCERT Nagaland was the first state in the whole country to approve school counselling in 2018.
Emphasising on the universal need for counselling and not as mere problematic oriented activity, Rume stated that counselling is not only needed by people who are facing problems. He added that every child would be required to go under counselling as counselling is an integral part of school education.
With different kinds of mental stress experienced by every child, Rume emphasised on the need to focus on psychological, emotional and physiological well being of the children. Informing that the programme would offer a hands-on skill based practical course, he stated it would be gradually integrated to the daily teaching-learning process in schools.
The deputy mission director of Samagra Shiksha, Kelhikha Kenye, appreciated the department of SCERT for coming up with the school counselling programme. He also informed that the government of India has allotted 60 seats for in-service government teachers to take up the diploma course this year.
He further informed that the vision of Samagra Shiksha missions was to depute trained teachers as full time counselling teachers in all the districts.