Jamshedpur, March 21: A Capacity Building Programme on Basic Counselling skills for Educators and empowering them to deal effectively with Adolescent issues was launched in Jamshedpur in May, 2014 with the assistance of Tata Steel.
Today, 39 Teachers and Principals from 22 schools were certified at a formal ceremony in SNTI Auditorium for having successfully completed this training. Sunil Bhaskaran, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
On behalf of Tata Steel, Mrs Ruchi Narendran, Chairperson, SAFE, and Association of Sacred Heart Alumni, (ASHA) spearheaded the drive to support the cause.
The objective of this programme was to build capacity amongst teachers in Counselling skills to empower them to deal effectively with adolescent issues in their respective schools. Further this would enable them to sensitise other teachers in their schools to pick up early warning signs of student stress in the classroom and also sensitise parents.
Based on a very detailed psychometric test conducted through ASHA, 41 candidates from 22 schools across the city were shortlisted to undergo training which concluded with Viva & written Test on 26th January 2015.
The training was imparted by UMEED, a Positive Living Initiative. UMEED is a leading organisation in the East doing extensive work in building capacity of educators and providing counselling services to children and parents across schools in Bengal, UP, Orissa and Jharkhand.
Salony Priya, Founder Director, UMEED and her team of professionals conducted 100 hours of training spread over six modules in workshop format with 5 case studies and extensive supervised interventions, role plays and experiential learning.
The training focussed on listening skills for teachers, familiarizing participants on emotional development stages in adolescents, strategies to deal with common adolescent & disciplinary issues, Basic Life skills & life skill group counselling as part of value education in schools, Bullying & other kinds of stress, understanding cause for suicides and strategies for suicide prevention.
This 100 hour experiential training will enable teachers to function as Pastoral Guidance Counsellor for the students of their respective schools. After some practical experience, they will be given feedback and guidance by the trainers to further hone their skills.
A special Session was also conducted for Principals for guidance on setting up counselling centres in their respective schools. Mrs. Ruchi Narendran, Chairperson SAFE & JEM Foundation who has been actively supporting this programme, gave away certificates of recognition.
The programme also included experience sharing by two participants as well as a presentation by Ms. Salony Priya providing further direction on how schools could take forward the programme in their schools.
The programme was attended by Principals, teachers, Chairpersons and members of School Managing Committees, Members from JEEVAN- listening centre for the youth, members of Association of Sacred Heart Alumni.
