The Coimbatore Corporation has ordered counselling to be given for all students above class VIII in its schools. At present Now, counselling isgiven only to students above Class X. The civic body runs a total of 10 high schools and 16 higher secondary schools.
The counselling is given by Aram Foundation Charitable Trust, which has roped in an Australia-based counsellor Dorai Sundaram. He travelled to India for two trips, each spanning several months, specifically for this purpose. Around 5,400-odd students studying in Classes X, XI and XII in the 26 high and higher secondary schools were counselled last year.
The Foundation’s Managing Trustee S. Latha told The Hindu here on Saturday that Class VIII was when students would begin to emotionally develop and remain susceptible to nefarious influences and violent thoughts.
The counselling would begin in June in batches of around 40 students each.
As many as 8,000 students will receive counselling in the coming academic year. Files on the psychological condition of each student would be maintained separately. It would track the development of their mind over five sessions. Follow-up sessions would also be conducted.
Last year, students were educated about their body, mind, brain, hormonal changes during adolescence and its impact on their behaviour. Emotional issues such as anger, lack of self esteem, importance and influence of environment such as family, and ways to handle addiction to substances were also handled alongside the importance of education.
Action plan
Children coming from disturbed environments were identified and an action plan was developed for each such child, focussing on changes that needed to happen and also to emphasise time management.
Special attention was given to all students. Where required, the Counsellor had spoken to parents/guardians/ teachers to improve the environment and create a nourishing atmosphere for the student, says Ms. Latha.
At present Now, counselling is given
only to students above Class X
