Kohima, April 13 (EMN): Dr. Zavise Rume, associate professor of the SCERT and the president of Nagaland Education Association (NEA), has underlined the need to focus on physiological, emotional and psychological wellbeing of the students, rather than a normal school routine exercise.
Speaking as a resource person on the topic “Importance of counselling and career guidance in schools” during the one-day conference-cum-interactive session for DEO/DDEO/SDEO/JEO/Dy Directors/ assistant directors held on April 12, Dr Rume, while observing that young children are experiencing all kinds of mental anxieties and emotional stresses, stressed the need to focus on physiological, emotional and psychological wellbeing of the students.
“There is a need for professional counselling services due to the increasing complexities of modern day living,” he said and pressed the State government “to frame a clear cut policy on school counselling to regulate necessary laws to ensure that a comprehensive school counselling is made”, which in the process becomes “an integral part of school curriculum to cater to the needs of emotional and mental wellbeing of the students.”
“The State govt should invest necessary resources for creation of more posts of counsellors to ensure that every school have teachers who are trained in counselling skills,” he stated.
It is also expected of the government to establish a State bureau of guidance and counselling, strengthen the existing infrastructures, set up a state level committee on school counselling, frame recruitment policy for appointment of school counsellors, organise regular training programmes to train every teacher to be oriented on the basic skills of Counselling, Dr Rume said and also urged the State government to come up with a textbook on counselling for secondary students, as well as set up a district level committee on school counselling and also to appoint district level and block level counsellors.
The list went on, as he also pressed the State government to develop a school-industry linkage, and also launch a community based career guidance and counselling service and further to launch a community and parental training on counselling.
Out of the many points he mentioned, he also stressed the need to promote Naga indigenous method of counselling, launch a skill-based job oriented vocational courses, set up a professional school counselling room, set up a school counselling committee and also to form a career club in schools colleges and university departments.
During his address, Dr Rume also discussed about the North East Career Club to promote healthy interactions on issues related to career development.
Earlier on the day, the introductory programme was graced by Yiatchu, minister of school education as the chief guest. The programme was also attended by FP Solo, principal secretary, School Education, among others.
The other resource speaker for the day was G. Kevishe Phucho, consultant school education, who spoke on the topic – office management, office procedures and rule.
