School counselling services will receive priority attention – Shekerau

Abuja (Federal Ministry of Education Report) – The Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekerau has said that plans are underway to create enabling environment for Counsellors to render guidance and counselling services at all levels of the education system.

The Minister stated this when he received the executive members of the Counselling Association of Nigeria on a courtesy visit to his office on Friday  October10, 2014.

While recounting his experience as a teacher to buttress the importance of counselling in the school system, the Minister said that besides having Counsellors in the schools, every trained teacher is required to undertake a short course on counselling. He assured the association of support, adding that efforts will be made to establish Counsellors’ Offices in all schools, commencing with the Unity Colleges.

Ibrahim Shekerau expressed concern over the state of indiscipline experienced in the country, in spite of the increasing number of educated people; noting that education is expected to inculcate discipline in the society. He further charged the association to come up with strategies to reverse the trend.

Speaking earlier, the President of the Counselling Association of Nigeria, Alfred  A Adegoke (Prof.) informed the Minister about the association’s activities, expressing their readiness to support the Ministry’s efforts to reposition the education system. He added that the association has a working relationship with relevant MDAs to coordinate, supervise and provide counselling services in the country.

Alfred  Adegoke also appealed to the Minister to assist the association in meeting some needs, especially   in fast-tracking the bill for an Act to establish the Counselling Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria as well as completion of the association’s secretariat in Abuja.