New student counselling service to be provided by WP Education Ministry
View(s):Surveys revealed that many students face depression due to a examination pressure, teacher issues, personal problems and various addictions
The counselling service will be available via hotline, video calls and WhatsApp.
The Western Provincial Education Ministry is to launch an online counselling service aimed at helping nearly one million students resolve their issues and build up their mental capacity, a senior Ministry official said.
Western Province Education Director Srilal Nonis told Education Times the counselling service will be available on video calls and WhatsApp, and a separate hotline will be maintained as well.
The first stage of the counselling service will be provided to Grade Seven to 13 students, and gradually it will accommodate students from other grades.
“The students could ask any questions on a range of subjects including education, discipline, personal problems, teacher conflicts and issues, guidance, addictions and sexual harassment ,” Mr Nonis said.
At any given time, 68 counsellors would be available while another 150 counsellors would be ready to provide answers to questions. The ministry official said, if possible the students would be provided answers or advice immediately. If not they would be referred to another section.
As a follow up, the students would be contacted five days later to ensure that their issue had been resolved. If not further support would be given.
if the issue was related to a teacher or the school principal the zonal education office’s assistance would be sought to resolve the issue, the ministry official said.
Western Province Assistant Education Director Theja Pangoda said the decision to provide such a counselling service was made after surveys revealed that a section of the student population face depression due to a range of issues including examination pressure, issues from the staff, personal problems and various addictions.
Even though there were other counselling services available, due to the lack of availability of online services, the students were not making enough use of such services, she said.
“Some counselling services are confined to specific areas, but with the new counselling service students can receive counselling for a wide range of issues”, Ms Pangoda said.
So far 668 counsellors had been recruited after approval of the salaries and cadre Commission. Among them are Peradeniya University and Colombo University graduates. (C)