Only 3% private Schools in Delhi-NCR have counsellors: ASSOCHAM

Be it coping with exam stress, getting career advice or just a pat on the back of students in schools, a meager 3% of the private schools in Delhi-NCR have counsellors in their schools to do it all on, reveals the ASSOCHAM quick survey conducted under its Social Development Foundation (SDF).

The following statistics are sad and disturbing, as per the guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) that all schools should have full-time counsellors, the majority of private schools in Delhi-NCR are violating the educational norms.

In its recent survey conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) under the aegis of its Social Development Foundation reveals that nearly 3% of privately owned schools in Delhi-NCR have counsellors in their schools after paying the hefty school fees. The chamber has, meanwhile, suggested the new guidelines issued by Delhi government in the entire NCR region.

While releasing its paper Mr. D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM said, the counsellors in schools, help teachers identify children who need attention, and also help the children and their parents tackle any issues.

"The most common problems children face nowadays are scholastic performance pressure, lack of interpersonal communication, nuclear families and failure in relationships. Lack of counselling at the right time is causing more trouble," said Dr. B K Rao, Chairperson of ASSOCHAM Health Committee while releasing the paper.

The survey also highlights that making counselling available to every secondary school child will result in a dramatic reduction in students' distress and an improvement in behavior, added Dr. Rao.

Stress management is a major area that all schools need to work on. Most students have no clue what to do when they finish class 12. "Despite the growing demand, the role of the school counsellor within the Indian context remains an ambiguous one", added Mr. Rawat.

The survey was conducted in Delhi-NCR and covered almost 3,200 schools and observed that there are acute shortages of counsellors in private and government schools, the picture remains dismal.

ASSOCHAM further advocated that there should be at least three to four counsellors for one school. "There are too many cases of stress, juvenile crimes being committed... depression, stresses are more prevalent and more problems among students are being seen, but not enough counsellors are there to help combat these issues," said Mr. Rawat.

"There is a need for counsellors for adolescents, especially these days, as children are exposed to all kinds of influences but their communication with their parents is very limited", said Mr. Rawat.

Some of the senior students during the survey also admit that having good counsellors would help reduce dropout rates, adds the survey.

This process can also build bonds between parents, teachers and students. Counselling will work only if both parents and teachers are involved in the process," adds the paper.

As per the guidelines, the main objective is to provide a helping hand to students, as adolescence is a crucial period in one's life where anxieties and stress are commonplace, points out the ASSOCHAM paper.

Source: ASSOCHAM

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