1. How is guidance and counselling currently practice in your school?
Guidance and counselling in my school is provided through both individual and group sessions. The counsellor works with teachers to identify learners who need support, offering help with academic choices, behaviour, and personal issues. The school also conducts career guidance, mentorship activities, and awareness programmes to build positive behaviour and support learners` wellbeing. Overall, the system is active but still growing to become more comprehensive and proactive.
Challenges Faced in Implementing Guidance and Counselling Effectively
Implementing guidance and counselling is challenging due to limited trained staff, inadequate resources, and large student numbers. Some learners avoid counselling because of stigma, and parents are not always involved. Time constraints and complex learner issues also make it difficult to provide effective, consistent support.
2. What leadership strategies can help integrate counselling into daily school life- especially in schools with limited trained personnel?
Counselling can be integrated into daily school life by training teachers in basic counselling skills, creating a small support team, and using assemblies or class meetings to address learner wellbeing. Clear referral systems, a positive school culture, parent involvement, peer support programmes, and setting aside time and space for counselling all help make the system effective even with limited trained personnel.
3. How do you support teachers and staff to identify and respond to learners emotional and behavioural needs?
I support teachers by training recognise signs of emotional and behavioural problems, creating simple referral systems, and discussing learners regularly. I also provide practical classroom strategies, help with monitoring progress, promote a support school culture, and involve parents when necessary.
4. Can you share a moment when guidance or counselling made a difference in a learner`s life or in your school culture?
A withdrawn learner opened up during counselling about personal problems affecting their behaviour and attendance. With regular support and cooperation from the teacher and parent, the learner improved academically and emotionally. This experience showed the school the importance of counselling and encouraged teachers to identify and refer learners more quickly.