- Every century and the generation has seen changes in the social structure. When there are changes in the social structure, the needs in the society also change.
‘’Social structure, in sociology, the distinctive, stable arrangement of
institutions whereby human beings in a society interact and live together. Social structure is often
treated together with the concept of social change, which
deals with the forces that change the social structure and the organization of society’’ (Britannica).
In India, we have seen changes in our education system within this
century, with the changes the priorities also have been altered. There are changes in many aspects of education. Currently, student counselling is also considered as part of the education system. There is a consciousness
among educationists to understand the counselling needs in India.
In India, there are some committees who have examined the importance
of counselling and provided some mandates and guidelines for educational
institutions regarding counselling. A committee, popularly known as Raghavan
Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court of India to make suggestions for
prevention of ragging in educational institutions has also made a strong case
for regular and periodic psychological counselling sessions for every student
in the school
CBSE has given a mandate for mandatory counselling facility in all
CBSE affiliated schools. As per CBSE, it has been sending a circular to all its
affiliated schools about providing counselling services to students. ‘Circular
No. 8 dated 10th July 2002 highlighted this need by observing that
‘exercises in building self-concept, self-image, acceptability, ability to
withstand pressures, sense of enterprises, sportsmanship etc. have to be part
of the learning process’ and schools were instructed to provide planned and
effective counselling to achieve the above.
The Board has also advised all the senior secondary schools to
appoint a person on a full-time basis for performing the duties of a counsellor.
It was also expected that secondary school would also follow the above
directions if the resources permit’
In addition to the above mandates, the following points are reiterated by CBSE in this regard with an instruction to schools to implement an effective programme of counselling for students:
- Schools are advised to
create a conducive climate that is free from fear, anxiety and stress so that
children learn joyfully and learn to work together harmoniously.
-
At secondary and senior secondary stages at least twenty sessions
of psychological counselling must be provided to every student in an academic
session. Parents and teachers may also be involved in such sessions
- Awareness about human rights, respect for diversity and equality maybe discreetly grafted into the lessons and exercises right from the primary classes. Education in Life Skills can be given greater thrust in classes VI-VIII to inculcate the desirable value system.
When we say CBSE it does not mean that only CBSE schools have seen these needs, we have mentioned CBSE as reference, as the CBSE policy is referred as part of the study. It is good if all the schools can refer the student counselling policies framed by CBSE.
This is part of Children's mental health and wellbeing series brought to you by Credence Learning Foundation. This article is taken from a study submitted as course work at Azim Premji University.
