The Anambra State Government on Wednesday deployed guidance counsellors, para-counsellors and integrity clubs across the 1,070 primary schools in the state.
Inaugurating the counsellors in Awka, the State Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, urged counsellors and para-counsellors to demonstrate love and empathy in the guidance of pupils and students.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, in collaboration with the Counselling Association of Nigeria, organised the event.
The commissioner described the primary education sector as the foundation for a child’s future.
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According to her, training a child required the joint efforts of both parents and teachers.
“Guidance counsellors play a crucial role in the personal, academic and social development of children, especially within educational and formative environments.
“Counsellors and Para-councillors should, therefore, show love and empathy in guiding the pupils and students,” she said.
Also speaking, Ejike Okechukwu, the lawmaker representing Anaocha State Constituency II in the Anambra House of Assembly, said counsellors, para-councillors and the Integrity Club have much role to play in re-directing students.
Mr Okechukwu said that students would receive proper guidance on how to navigate issues and challenges they may face during their education.
“I believe we will see meaningful improvements in the character development of our students at the basic education level.
“I encourage counsellors to balance compassion with discipline in guiding children’s growth,” he said.
Earlier, Vera Nwadinobi, the chairperson of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, emphasised the importance of guidance counselling in addressing students’ behavioural and academic issues early in their development.
Ms Nwadinobi said the counsellors and para-councillors are among the teaching staff to address the behavioural needs of the learners.
“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 including being accountable, taking responsibility for your actions, all of which are embodied in positive value system,” she said.
Ms Nwadinobi, however, urged Integrity Club members to help identify and address integrity issues in schools by promoting ethical behavior, positive values and peer support in the fight against corruption.
“The Inauguration of counselling practice and Integrity Club in primary schools is a way of creating awareness and responsiveness to the prevailing societal vices.
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“It will empower children to advocate for good behavior and good governance from a very young age,” she said.
In his remarks, the National President of the Counselling Association of Nigeria, Ike Ifelunni, represented by the Chairperson of the Anambra Chapter of the association, Ndidi Okeke, urged the counsellors to discharge their duties with integrity and compassion.
(NAN)
