Is counselling the engineering of the minds of children or just a scaffolding (support system)? (Part 1.8):

According to psychologists, a child is a developing being, parents have the right and responsibility to take care of them. As a child (minor), by law, children do not have autonomy or the right to make decisions on their own for themselves in any known jurisdiction of the world. Instead, their adult caregivers, including their parents, teachers and others, are vested with that authority, depending on the circumstances (IGNOU, N.D). This again opens up a big question, is counselling the engineering of the minds of children or just a scaffolding? This also gives us space to think of the role of a parent and caregiver in upbringing and character building of children.

In today's society, we are seeing an unprecedented need for counselling. The need for counselling in current times is also due to emerging disorders in children, one such disorder is Autism. In psychiatry Autism is defined as, an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people (AED, N.D). The problems connected with autism are such that it might affect the normal schooling and socialization of the child. Thus this kind of emerging disorders also calls for counsellors in the school to help detect the disorder and adopt intervention measures. Autism or autism spectrum disorders are a complex developmental disorder when defined from the behavioural standpoint, with multiple aetiologies and varying degrees of severity (Figueiras, Souza, ríos, & Benguigui, 2012). Similarly, experts have identified many developmental disorders in children which has to be taken into consideration.

Are we discussing counselling in only an educational context? Is it enough to discuss counselling in educational settings, do we have to open up ourselves to examine the children who are placed out of school? Some of the places where children are exposed to challenging situations are industries, hospitals, juvenile centres, and like. Do we have to look at the child’s safety, security and wellbeing at all the environments where the child is engaged?

Currently, in urban India, there is a lot of emphases given to school counselling, which is very helpful in supporting a child’s mental health and other special needs. The committees like ‘Raghavan Committee’ have emphasised counselling practice. And also it is very evident from the CBSE board mandating the appointment of a counsellor in schools. Even after mandating most of the schools do not have counsellors yet.

There are other participants like teachers, parents and principals who can also be like an informal counsellor to the child once they are oriented into these skills. It is important for us to deeply look at the psychological, social and cultural aspects of counselling, how it can help us to balance healthy human growth.

From ages, the family system and the community structure and bond has created a lot of difference in people’s lives. The changing family structure and the evolving social trends with an almost failed traditional support system has created a gap for fulfilling the physical, psychological and social needs of the child stressing the need for an alternative support system to meet the needs of the child (Kodad and Kazi, 2014). It’s time for us to pause and think, will the school counselling alone solve the challenges faced by our children.

Counselling as a profession is definitely a concept developed at western countries’ context. Indian society with its strong family bonds and a warm community feeling and spiritual essence has for ages providing the shock absorbers in times of crisis and a support system to deal with the various psychosocial issues (Kodad and Kazi, 2014).

Further reading:

The emerging area of Counselling in Schools in India

http://www.midnaporecollege.ac.in/RemoteClass/counselling.pdf

Click to access all the articles published in this series:

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.

Click this link to join CLF Whatsapp group for latest publications:

Online Schools and eclectic curriculum:

- Online schools, while offering flexibility and accessibility, come with several disadvantages, particularly when they employ a mixed eclectic curriculum. An "eclectic curriculum" typically means drawing from various teaching philosophies and methods, aiming to personalize learning. While this sounds good in theory, in an online setting, it can lead to unique challenges. Here are the disadvantages of online school, especially one offering a mixed eclectic curriculum: I. General Disadvantages of Online School: * Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction and Social Isolation: * Reduced Engagement: Students miss out on spontaneous discussions, immediate feedback, and the dynamic energy of a physical classroom. * Isolation: The absence of in-person interaction with peers and instructors can lead to feelings of loneliness, reduced motivation, and a diminished sense of community. * Limited Social Skill Development: Opportunities for developing crucia...

Zero means non-existence. As long as a person is trying, how can they be zero?

- In Russia’s education system, the highest possible score in an exam is 5. And here’s the surprising part—even if a student submits a completely blank answer sheet, they are still awarded 2 marks. The first day I learned this at Moscow University, I was genuinely stunned. To me, it felt illogical. If someone writes nothing at all, shouldn’t they receive a zero? Driven by curiosity, I asked Dr. Theodor Medrayev, “Sir, how does it make sense that a student who writes nothing still gets 2 marks?” Dr. Medrayev smiled. Then, in a calm and thoughtful voice, he said, “Zero means non-existence. As long as a person is trying, how can they be zero? Think about it—how much effort does a student put in just to show up to class? Maybe they woke up before dawn in freezing cold, traveled a long distance standing on a bus, tram, or train. Even if they submit a blank paper, the fact that they came means they tried. So tell me—how can I give them zero?” He continued, “Maybe the student couldn’t wr...

History of MBBS: How the MBBS Became India’s Definitive Medical Degree

- Ever wondered why Indian doctors are uniquely identified by the four-letter acronym MBBS? While most of the world uses MD or other titles, India’s medical degree has a fascinating history rooted in colonial identity, educational reform, and a drive for professional equality. Here are eight key insights into how this unique degree shaped the landscape of Indian medicine. 1. The Birth of the Name "The 'MBBS' acronym is uniquely Indian in its modern dominance. While the world uses various titles for medical practitioners, it was Bombay University that officially inaugurated the MBBS degree in South Asia during a pivotal Senate meeting in December 1905." 2. The 1835 Milestone "Formal modern medical education in India began in 1835 with two landmark institutions: Medical College, Calcutta, and a medical school in Madras. These institutions marked the official shift toward standardized, allopathic medical training under British administration." 3. Before the M...

School Library suggested list for Indian schools for classes 6th to 10th standard:

## - Book Suggestions for a School Library in India for classes 6-10. Here are some book suggestions, focusing on core subjects and Indian languages, to enrich your school library: 1. Works by renowned Indian authors in various languages (Hindi, english, regional languages etc.) 2. Language Reference Books: * Dictionaries (English, Hindi, regional languages) * Thesauruses * Grammar books * English communication books * Writing guides * Essay writing books 3. Science: * Biographies of famous scientists (e.g., Einstein, Curie) * Books on specific scientific topics (e.g., astronomy, biology, chemistry) 4. Mathematics: * Mathematical puzzles and brain teasers * History of mathematics * Books on the practical applications of mathematic...

Education system in Greece and Rome in ancient times: (In Urdu)-

یونان اور روم میں نظامِ تعلیم ڈاکٹر عرفان حبیب مغربی تعلیم کی تاریخ کا آغاز حضرت عیسیٰؑ سے سیکڑوں برس پہلے، یونانی قوم کی تعلیمی سرگرمیوں سے ہوتا ہے۔ اس تاریخ میں بیسویں صدی کی شروعات تک ایک تسلسل پایا جاتا ہے۔ ابتدائی دور میں یونانی شہری ریاستوں میں رہتے تھے۔ شروع ہی سے ان کے یہاں تعلیم کو بڑی اہمیت دی جاتی تھی۔ اچھے شہری تیار کرنے کے لیے تعلیم ضروری تھی۔ یہ ریاستیں دشمنوں میں گھری ہوئی تھیں اور اکثر اندرونی خطروں کا بھی سامنا کرنا ہوتا تھا۔ اس لیے شہریوں کی اس طرح سے تربیت ضروری تھی کہ وہ اندرونی اور بیرونی خطروں کا اچھی طرح مقابلہ کر سکیں۔ اس یونانی سماج کی بنیاد، غلامی کے نظام پر تھی جس میں غلاموں کی تعداد آزاد شہریوں سے کہیں زیادہ تھی۔ تجارت اور ہاتھ سے کام کرنے کو معیوب سمجھا جاتا تھا اور یہ کام غلاموں سے لیے جاتے تھے، اس لیے شہریوں کو کوئی ٹیکنیکل تعلیم حاصل کرنے کی ضرورت نہیں تھی۔ شہری ریاستیں کئی باتوں میں ایک دوسرے سے مختلف تھیں اور اس لیے ان کے تعلیم کے مقاصد بھی جدا جدا تھے مثلاً سپارٹا اور ایتھنز کے تعلیمی نظام بالکل الگ الگ تھے۔ سپارٹا کے شہری اپنے علاقے می...

The height of concentration strategies:

- Image product: The isolator helmet This helmet was an early attempt to solve a psychological problem (distraction) with a hardware solution. The isolator helmet was a device invented by Hugo Gernsback in 1925 to help people concentrate and eliminate distractions. The helmet was made of wood and felt, and had three pieces of glass that allowed the wearer to see only a narrow slit in front of them. The helmet also blocked out all sounds, and had a tube that supplied oxygen to the wearer. The idea was that by isolating the senses, the wearer could focus better on reading or writing. However, the helmet also had some drawbacks, such as making the wearer drowsy after 15 minutes, and being very bulky and uncomfortable. Gernsback claimed that the helmet was 90-95% efficient in blocking out noise, but he only made 11 helmets and they disappeared by 1926. The isolator helmet was featured in Gernsback’s magazine Science and Invention, and later inspired other simil...

ಪ್ರೊ. ಕೆ. ಎಸ್. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ರವರ ಜೀವನ-

- ಪ್ರೊ. ಕೆ. ಎಸ್. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಪ್ರೊ.ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ (5 ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 1936 - 3 ಮೇ 2020) ಕನ್ನಡದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಸಾಹಿತಿಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಹೆಸರು 'ಕೊಕ್ಕರೆಹೊಸಳ್ಳಿ ಶೇಖಹೈದರ ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್'. ಅವರು ಬರೆದ 'ಜೋಗದ ಸಿರಿ ಬೆಳಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಗೆಯ ತೆನೆ ಬಳುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ' ಎಂಬ ಪದ್ಯವು ಬಹಳ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿ ಅವರು ನಿತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಕವಿಯೆಂದೂ ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. Image source: Online typing ಜೀವನ- ಪ್ರೊ. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ದೇವನಹಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ ೫, ೧೯೩೬ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಿಸಿದರು. ೧೯೫೯ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಭೂವಿಜ್ಞಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾತಕೋತ್ತರ ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆದರು. ೧೯೯೪ ರ ವರೆಗೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧ್ಯಾಪಕ ಹಾಗು ಪ್ರಾಧ್ಯಾಪಕರಾಗಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿ ನಿವೃತ್ತರಾದರು. ಜನನ 5 ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 1936 ದೇವನಹಳ್ಳಿ, ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನ, ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಮರಣ 3 ಮೇ 2020 (ವಯಸ್ಸು 84)[೧] ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ವೃತ್ತಿ ಸಾಹಿತಿ, ಪ್ರೊಫೆಸರ್ ಭಾಷೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯತೆ ಭಾರತ ಪ್ರಕಾರ/ಶೈಲಿ Fiction ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಚಳುವಳಿ ನವ್ಯ ಕಾವ್ಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕೆಲಸಗಳು ಮನಸು ಗಾಂಧಿ ಬಜಾರು(1960) ನಿತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗಳು ಪದ್ಮಶ್ರೀ (೨೦೦೮), ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ (೧೯೮೧) ಕೆಲವು ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಗಳು : ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ...

Sarang- An alternative school Journey @ India

A couple who leaned towards alternative education started a Journey with ‘Sarang’ alternative school initiative. As government school teachers, they were themselves disillusioned with the limitations of formal education. And what next, They quit the job to fulfill Sarang dream. They dreamt of a school environment that is close to reality- open, democratic and with fluid boundaries. What if I say, this is your classroom... The kids at Sarang introduced to each other not as classmates, but as brothers and sisters. What do they learn with?- A barren land. How big is the classroom/learning Lab?- Its onnnnlllyyy, 12 Acres. Where it is located?- Attappady, near Palakkad, Kerala, India. At this alternative learning area, ‘There were very few trees, and the only water source had dried out completely. But this would be a perfect place for the children to learn about life and survival’. Where is my food?- All vegetables, fruits, and grains that were needed fo...

Hauna Curriculum is for strong preschool education:

- *Hauna Preschool Systems* Hauna Curriculum is for strong preschool education. We are a preschool curriculum provider offering a comprehensive learning framework for children aged 3-6 years. *Hauna Curriculum Overview:* 1. Focuses on holistic development (cognitive, social, emotional, physical) 2. Integrated learning approach (subjects interconnected) 3. Child-centered and activity-based learning 4. Emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving 5. Aligns with international early childhood education standards *Curriculum Structure:* 1. Nursery (H1- 3-4 years) 2. ⁠Lower Kindergarten (H2- 4-5 years) 3. ⁠Upper Kindergarten (H3- 5-6 years) *Subject Areas:* 1. Language and Literacy 2. Mathematics 3. EVS 4. ⁠Social emotional development 5. ⁠Physical Development *Teaching Methodologies:* 1. Play-based learning 2. Storytelling 3. Hands-on activities 4. Project-based learning 5. Role-playing 6. ⁠Real-World Applications *Assessment and Evaluation:* 1. Continuous...

Who is Sir Hajee Ismail Sait of Bangalore:

- Fukhr-ut-Tojjar Sir Hajee Ismail Sait: A Legacy of Business and Philanthropy Fukhr-ut-Tojjar Sir Hajee Ismail Sait (1859-1934) was a prominent Indian businessman, philanthropist, and community leader who left an indelible mark on South India. He was an Indian banker, businessman and community leader who served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council . Born in Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu, Sait's entrepreneurial journey began early, driven by a strong work ethic and a keen business acumen. A Business Empire Takes Shape Sait's first venture, the "English Warehouse," proved to be a resounding success, catering to the needs of the British community in Bangalore. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, did not limit him to a single venture. He diversified into a wide range of businesses, including mines, and manufacturing units. His astute business decisions saw him rise to become one of the wealthiest merchants in South India. Very quickly, Ismail Sait built on the succ...

Edu Research & Insights

Search This Blog