1. At the beginning of every academic year, staff meeting is conducted where areas of responsibilities are shared among the staff of which Guidance and Counselling is not an exception. Guidance and Counselling is offered by the counsellor when necessary though, the school does not have train personnel as counsellor. An office is created where counselling takes place and a club is established where some of the student council are part of.
By the way we faced some challenges as a school, that is, untrained personnel is identified as a counsellor which sometimes contradicts the protocols. Resources to execute duties effectively is another constraints. Again, some of the clients found it difficult to explain their concerns to the counsellor to cultural beliefs and stigmatisation.
2. The leadership Strategies: The school collaborates with sister schools that have train personnel to give a supporting hands to us in capacitating our personnel.
3.Supporting Teachers and Staff: The school schedules meetings regularly where arising issues are discuss pertinent to learners and the needful support will be giving to the teachers address concern of learners. Teachers are encouraged to prioritise caring and seek support when needed.
4. A girl who was about to drop out from school due to trauma faced at home has affected her learning seriously. Upon receiving the complain, I vividly intervened by counselling the girl her continuity in learning though it was not easily solved.
After sitting with the for some days, I was able to gain the upper hand and the moment the girl in question is at Grade eight.
SELF REFLECTION
1. There used to be a truant boy who assaults his colleagues any time they close for school. So energetic that his colleagues if not all, fear him, when I received the message from one of the councillors immediately he was summon to me where I had a tet- a-tet friendly chat with him. He was reluctant to let the cat out of the bag but promised that this will be between only two of us which has motivated him to spelt out the reason of his frequent problems. He was brought up in such a family where his parents always quarrel.
This issue was very stressful and I felt sad of his situation. Finally I asked the teacher responsible of the student council to include him in upon promising me that he will never fight his colleagues and giving him the position has paved way for his attitudinal change.
2. I personally embody strongly empathy. I always focus on clear information of someone and share the feelings of others, that will create an avenue for supportive environment.
REFLECTION PROMPT:
1.a. Empathy was one of the qualities I naturally demonstrate in my day-to-day interaction with pupils and students. I always want the feelings of my learners and teaching staff who directly work under me, upon knowing their problems. Equally I do find ways to create a conducive environment for them.
b. Confidentiality is among the qualities I equally use. Those clients that I counsel should have confidents in me, without which counselling will be futile. Again, trust must be built with those around you in order to attain your objective.
2. The qualities I found most challenging are: Active Listening and Cultural Sensitivity.
Looking at the mention qualities, environments differ in culture, norms and values. The society I found myself is Fula dominated that have their own culture and during counselling, I find out that some approaches to be used contradicts their norms and communication break down is another challenge. Yes, we do communicate in English but there are certain instances expressing themselves in their native would be more convenient.
3. Empathy and Confidentiality make the clients believe of safeguard and trust, which will encourage them to open up during counselling.
In light of this, the traits will create an avenue for respect and confidents to prevail between the counsellor and the client.