By Chinedum Treasure
Anambra state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh has charged Counsellors and Para-councillors to show love and empathy in guiding learners.
Chuma-Udeh gave the advice during the inauguration of Counsellors, Para-councillors and Integrity Club in the State primary schools by the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Awka in collaboration with the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON).
She described basic education sector is where the future of a child is laid, stressing that the training of every child required collective contributions of the parents, and the teachers.
“Guidance Counsellors are specifically responsible for redirecting erring consciousness. Counsellors and Para-councillors should show love and empathy in guiding the learners,” she said.
Member Representing Anaocha II Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu said Counsellors, Para-councillors and the Integrity Club have much role to play in redirecting learners with one issue or the other as challenges in schooling starts at the basic level.
Okechukwu who chaired the occasion expressed optimism that significant changes would be seen in the the character development of learners at the basic education level if the Counsellors would complement love with stick to balance child formation.
Earlier, ASUBEB Chairman, Dr. Vera Nwadinobi described guidance counselling at the basic school level as critical in tackling behaviour and academic maladjustments among learners from the earliest stages of their development.
According to her, the dearth of professionally trained Counsellors in primary schools necessitated selection of Para-councillors among the teaching staff to address the behavioural needs of the learners.
“One of the major roles of counselling is to provide valid and stable information to clients in order to make informed decisions about their lives.
“Para-councillors provide complementary roles to professional counsellors in the provision of guidance services to learners.
“Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching, and doing what you said you will do, including being accountable, taking responsibility for your actions, all of which are embodied in positive value system,” she added.
ASUBEB boss urged members of the Integrity Club to assist in identifying and solving integrity problems in the school environment by promoting right attitudes, morals and values that promote ethical behaviour and enlist peer support in the war against corruption, among others.
“The Inauguration of counselling practice and Integrity Club in primary schools by ASUBEB and CASSON is a way of creating awareness and responsiveness to the prevailing societal vices and to empower children to advocate for good governance from a very young age,” she stressed.
Inaugurating the Counsellors, Para-councillors and Integrity Club, from the 1070 primary schools in Anambra State, National President of CASSON, Prof Ike Ifelunni, represented by State Chapter Chairperson, Dr. Ndidi Okeke charged them to discharge their duties with integrity and compassion.
Speaking separately, Member, representing Orumba South Constituency, Engr. Emma Nwafor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu; Board Secretary, Lady Loveline Mgbemena and Director, Academic Services, Mrs Christy Chukwuma praised ASUBEB Chairman for her foresight in recognising need for human development counselling at the elementary schools.
The event featured paper presentations by seasoned Counsellors, such as Mrs Felicia Ezeukwu who spoke on “the Roles of Guidance Counsellors”; Mrs Benedeth Duaka who spoke on “Maladaptive Behaviours in Children” and Mrs Eucharia Ilika who spoke on “Guidance & Counselling Services in the Primary School”.
Presentation of assistive learning materials to visually and hearing impaired learners; commissioning of the Anambra Digital Teachers for Soludo, ADTS, by the House Committee Chairman on Education, Hon. Anayo Okpaleke, Representing Aguata I Constituency and cultural dance by Capital City Secondary School, Awka also featured.
