SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Association of Professional Counsellors held a signature campaign here on Tuesday with an aim to create awareness on the need to hire counsellors in schools.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, president of the association Maribon Viray said, “Through the signature campaign, we are pleading the Government of Meghalaya to sanction a full-time post of professional counsellor in all educational institutions in the state.”
Stressing on the need for counsellors in all schools, both secondary and higher secondary, to cater to the overall well-being of children, Viray said, “As councillors we have to deal with children vis-à-vis their behaviour, performance.”
She observed that it is high time the problems of bullying, low career preparation, lack of soft skills, substance abuse etc are addressed. “Many students do not open up to parents in terms of relationships or career,” she said.
Commenting on the role of teachers in school, she said, “Teachers are to be creative and learn different techniques to approach students as per their needs.”
The association will submit a letter to the Health and Education ministers for creation of full-time posts of counsellors in all educational institutions.
The association also plans to conduct the 1st symposium of counsellors in Meghalaya, streamline the practices and services, as well as certification of counsellors. Over 72 counsellors and students took part in the signature campaign.
