Tuesday 7 March 2017

Role of Counsellor in Guidance programme


               
INTRODUCTION

          Guidance and counselling services are becoming more and more important as the society and its various institutions are growing in complexity. The society and all its institutions are built of individuals as their units as a mansion is built of bricks. The strength and solidarity of the society and its institutions are, therefore, contingent upon the strength of these individual units constitute the foundation of a strong nation. Hence, the optimum development of each of these units should be the most cherished goal of every nation. Guidance and counselling contributes to the achievement of this goal. Through guidance and counseling efforts are made to develop the potentialities of individuals to the maximum possible extent so that they may live an effective life themselves and may contribute their best to the progress of the society. From this point of view guidance and counselling should be considered essential social services. A counsellor has to play a major role in the success of any guidance and counseling programme.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TOPIC

          Guidance and counseling is a very important program in every educational institution especially in schools. It is the process by which students are given advice on how to deal with emotional conflicts and personal problems both in school and how to incorporate the same in their daily life. Some sessions involve career guidance where students are advised on which courses to do and which jobs to expect when one does a particular course. Counsellor is the vital part of any Guidance and counseling programme. The success of guidance and counseling program depends upon the role played by the counselor.
Role of the Counsellor in Guidance programme
1.     Administer psychological tests.
2.     Interpret the results of the psychological tests.
3.     Collect and give information about different types of courses at school and in technical training institutes.
4.     Give information about different occupations.
5.     Give individual counseling to students who have difficulty in choosing courses or in taking up employment on leaving school.
6.     Stimulate students to put forth maximum efforts.
7.     Assist teachers with pupil problems which the teachers find difficult.
8.     Assist youth employment services in the placement of pupils in various jobs.
9.     Take up follow-up work with a view to assessing the outcome of guidance services in regard to the students who have received guidance.
10.  Assist in familiarizing new class-room teachers and other school personnel with guidance services available.
11.  Explain school records with which students are not familiar.
12.  Obtain as much of an objective measurement of a pupil’s abilities, interests, aptitudes and physical characteristics as possible.
13.  Give assistance and counseling through interviews with each pupil to enable him to understand himself and his problems.
14.  Maintain close contact with the school doctor in all health problems of students.
15.  Obtain knowledge of the relevant aspects of a student’s home environment, economic status and personality.
16. Confer with parents and arrange and arrange group meetings of parents as needs arise.
17.  Constantly alert to signs of emotional difficulties.
18.  Refer difficulties to available specialists.
19. Provide counseling for a pupil relative to educational or personal problems or plans.
20.  Arrange excursions for pupils with a view to providing them with realistic educational and occupational information.
21.  Arrange carrier conferences when considered appropriate.
22.  Assist students in making vocational choices commensurate with their ability and skill.
23.  Arrange case conferences about an individual student who is experiencing some type of difficulty.
24.  Assist pupils to develop initiative and independence so that they may progress in self- direction.
25.  Aid potential drop-outs to make the school experiences as profitable as possible.
26.  Arrange for group guidance through class meetings, sessions with guest speakers, films and activities to promote social adjustment.

The counsellor serves pupil’s needs by:

1.     Assisting pupils to understand themselves and their social and psychological world.
2.     Helping pupils accept their aptitudes, abilities, interests and opportunities for self-fulfillment.
3.     Helping pupils develop decision making competency.
4.     Helping all staff members understand individual pupils by providing material information and evaluations.
5.     Determining the impact of the school programme on pupil development and conveying that information to staff members.
6.     Informing staff members of significant changes in the school and non-school environment which have implications for instruction.
7.     Assisting parents to understand the developmental needs and progress of their children.
8.     Informing the community of the importance of considering the individual and interpreting to it the role of counseling in such consideration.
9.     Promoting in the community non-school developmental opportunities for children.
10.  Developing and/or using community resources for meeting the unusual or extreme needs of pupils.
CONCLUSION
          A good counsellor possesses many good qualities. He must have an understanding of young people and their problems based on scientific knowledge but inspired with sympathy and the ability to look at life through the eyes of boys and girls. He should have special training in good counseling methods, mental hygiene and in the discriminating use of tests and school records. In the field of vocational guidance, he should have an accurate knowledge of occupational opportunities and requirements. He must have ample time for conferences with pupils, parents and employers and he must be fully familiar with the purpose and programme of the school and have the capacity to work in close cooperation with the teacher, writes the Secondary Education Commission.

REFERENCES

·        J.C. Aggarwal (1991). Educational vocational guidance and counseling.  Doaba House Pvt Ltd. Delhi.
·        R.P. Bhatnagar & Seema Rani (1997). Guidance and counseling in education and psychology. Surya Publications. Meerut.

·        http://writing.wikinut.com/importance-of-guidance-and-counselling-in-schools./2j9-q09s/

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