KCPA Advocates for Guidance and Counselling Education in Secondary School Curriculum
The Kenya Counselling and Psychologist Association (KCPA) is advocating for the integration of guidance and counselling as a mandatory subject in secondary schools.
Deliberations between KCPA and the Ministry of Education are ongoing to incorporate this subject into the school curriculum.
At a recent event at Chinga Boys High School in Othaya, Nyeri County, KCPA Chairperson Catherine Gachutha highlighted the necessity of equipping students with basic psychosocial support skills.
She argued that such education would help students manage their emotions better and reduce instances of indiscipline, which are often linked to poor mental health.
Prof. Gachutha emphasized that incorporating counselling into the curriculum could rejuvenate educational institutions and significantly enhance academic performance, as students would have better avenues to express their emotions and seek help when stressed.
She also stressed the importance of training more teachers and non-teaching staff in counselling skills, noting the dormancy of many guidance and counselling departments due to understaffing. She urged the government to allocate more counsellors to schools.
The launch of a counselling programme at Chinga Boys High School saw 1,500 students participate in counselling and mentorship sessions provided by the Second Chance Counselling Centre.
Rose Gathii, the Centre’s Managing Director, emphasized the critical role of mentoring students during their formative years.
“Our goal is to help the students with physical, emotional, and mental health issues. Through counselling, we aim to improve their sense of well-being, alleviate their feelings of distress, and resolve any crisis in their life that could get them stuck away from their bright future,” Ms. Gathii said.
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She pointed out that in addition to creating safe spaces for emotional expression, students must be taught life skills like stress and anger management to help them navigate crises.
Ms. Gathii stated that the goal of their counselling efforts is to address physical, emotional, and mental health issues among students.
By providing counselling, they aim to improve students’ well-being, alleviate distress, and resolve crises that might hinder their future prospects.
KCPA Advocates for Guidance and Counselling Education in Secondary School Curriculum
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