The Meghalaya government recently announced that schools will nominate one teacher each to undergo a specialised counselling course as part of its strategy to curb substance abuse in the state. It said these teachers will serve as in-house counsellors, guiding and mentoring students, particularly from Classes 2 to 5, to stay away from substance abuse. One hundred teachers will be trained in the first phase over a 10-month period, the government plans.
Though the plan is ambitious, it should be given careful consideration when teaching and counselling are two distinct professions with different purposes. Teaching revolves around the dissemination of knowledge and academic skill development, while counselling focuses on personal growth, emotional well-being, and addressing psychological challenges. Let’s not forget that a teacher-student relationship is characterised by authority and expertise. Teachers hold the role of knowledge providers and authority figures in the classroom to create a positive and supportive learning environment whereas a counsellor is a facilitator and a partner in the client’s journey towards self-improvement. A counsellor-client relationship is built on trust, empathy, and collaboration.
Teachers already have demanding workloads and adding significant counselling responsibilities can lead to burnout and compromise their ability to effectively teach. Let’s also not forget that there are individuals who often have no other options in life than starting a teaching career. As it is, not all teachers have what it takes to become one.
During Covid-19 many would agree that they wanted their children back to school for the sake of their mental health. We failed to understand that teachers are not therapists! Teachers are not mental health professionals, and schools will not budget for meeting kids’ mental health needs. It’s not that a teacher will not want their students to thrive but not all will have enough know-how required to nurture healing. Counselling for children is one of the systematic approaches to dealing with emotionality and mental health which the government has given a wise thought. But every teacher is not supposed to be an effective counsellor.
Confidentiality is another significant limitation a teacher might face as a counsellor. Some students might be hesitant to share personal problems with a teacher because they view teachers as figures of authority and respect, making it difficult to be vulnerable and share struggles. Therefore, lack of confidentiality can create a barrier to open and honest communication between students and teachers, limiting the effectiveness of the counselling process.
Mental health is increasingly recognized as crucial in the 21st century due to rising stress levels, yet it is poorly managed and is affecting a significant number of our population. While counsellors do not have magic wands, they are trained to address issues outside of the realm of a classroom teacher. Teachers inspire growth and curiosity, while counsellors offer support during life’s big moments.
It is vital to understand the difference between the two professions and that they can thrive together to address students’ diverse needs. Both can invest in building strong relationships with each other as well as understand each other’s role and demands within the school. Unfortunately there are still administrators that do not fully comprehend the role of the professional counsellor. The government needs to coordinate better instead of asking teachers to be healers.
