More counselors to provide meanings to more lives

When we were young boys back in the village our parents would worry that we might fall off trees. This was because climbing trees was one of our favorite activities. To add colors to my mother’s fear, one day I slipped off a tree and fell unconscious. Halfway home I could remember a kind villager carrying me on his back. That scared my mother.

And times are changing. We live in an age confronted by numerous issues that are part and parcel of modernization or globalization. We have children daring to take their own lives. Suicide is parents’ biggest nightmare. Young people need guidance more than ever. That’s why we need to train and have as many trained professionals in our schools.

It is good to know that the Education Ministry is trying to train many teacher counselors. While some teachers bear the dual responsibility of teaching and counselling, some teachers are full time counselors. And especially for bigger schools we need dedicated teachers. Today, student life can really get frustrating.

As a high school student I was about to break down. I saw my future crumpling down before me. I was sinking lower and lower on the self-esteem scale. And at this point I went to my class teacher. I needed something more than her ready advice. That was when I was led to a school counselor, a teacher who was trained for this job. I felt comfortable before him and vented all my problems. As a trained professional my counselor listened to me with rapt attention as if his life depended on it. That had made all the difference. I would like to thank my counselor - wherever he is today - I still think of him and reflect on his advice.

And that’s why I see the need for even more counselors today, who can guide our young misguided youth. I also see the need to promote freelance counselors.