Efforts on to constitute more counselling cells in govt schools

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 16

After already imparting adolescent education to over 40,000 students of state-run schools to address psychological issues, the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, (DSEJ) has intensified its efforts to constitute more counselling cells for maximum coverage of children.

The School Education Directorate in order to address psychological issues like aggression, bullying, drug abuse, learning difficulties, stress, etc, among students of government schools had decided to constitute guidance and counselling cells in all government schools of Jammu province.

Topics like psychological changes during adolescence, substance abuse, peer pressure, menstrual hygiene, body image, stress management, relationships etc are being covered during the training sessions which are being conducted by members of counselling cells at higher secondary school level, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) level which are coordinated by the DSEJ.

“Many government schools in far-flung areas in Kishtwar district have been covered by the members of the counselling cells where the students in the adolescent age groups were guided properly. Like anti-drug activities, imparting of adolescent education through cells is equally important. The response is encouraging in other districts like Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi,” a DSEJ official said.

“Students are also provided guidance to help them choose career in different fields. They often find themselves in a fix when it comes to make a career choice. Our experts after interacting with students give suggestions which help them in decision making,” the official added.

He, however, admitted that the ongoing shutdown of Internet services by the government after revocation of Article 370 had affected the online interactive session.

“Yes, the online interactive session has been affected due to the shutdown of Internet services, but we are trying our best to expand our counselling activities with face-to-face interaction till the Internet is restored,” he maintained. Sources said another important reason behind imparting adolescent education to students of state-run schools was stress among students after securing poor marks/grades even at middle/secondary level exams.