If our unique role is lost, who will young people turn to?
A FIRST-YEAR student, Mary, knocked timidly on the office door. She needed help with a study plan.
Mary nervously began to explain her fears about doing badly in her exams, as she was finding it difficult to study at home. After gentle questioning by the guidance counsellor, the real problem was disclosed.
Her parents were constantly fighting as her dad had recently lost his job. They had little money and might lose their home. Mary’s parents did not want anyone to know and were pretending Mary’s dad still went to work every day.
Mary could not tell anyone the “secret”. She could not bring friends home and could not afford to socialise so she was being isolated at school. Mary was afraid her parents were going to separate and what would happen to her and to her brother and sister.
TOM is considering filling out a CAO form. He is confused over his career options; should he apply for medicine, as his parents would like him, to do or should he follow his passion for English and study arts?
Tom does not want to disappoint his parents, but he does not want to be a doctor. He feels he cannot win: If he does what he wants, his parents will be disappointed; if he does what they want, he will be disappointed in himself.
Tom decided he would talk to the guidance counsellor again, as their last meeting helped him greatly.
MEGAN’S mum passed away last month. She is finding it hard to cope. She does not want to talk to her dad as she does not want to worry him further. Megan is sad and is finding it difficult to sleep or eat.
She wonders if she should drop out of school, as she is not able to keep up with homework and is in trouble with teachers. Her class teacher notices the changes and arranges a meeting with the guidance councillor who listens to Megan. She feels better as she is able to voice her feelings.
PAUL is being bullied by some boys in his year. They call him names, push him, isolate him and mock him. He feels humiliated and does not want to come to school. He does not want to tell his parents as they would come to the school and the bullies would get him for telling.
Paul feels nobody can help him and cannot take much more. In desperation, he plucks up the courage to tell the guidance counsellor.
THESE are real examples of the work of the guidance counsellor with real people, as they make the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood and grapple with career planning.
The guidance counsellor has a unique and dual role in schools, providing career counselling and personal counselling. They support students with subject choice, exam technique, study skills, career planning, and application procedures, as well as offering on-site professional and free personal counselling.
Our country is going through a recession, characterised by increasing unemployment, emigration and rising education costs, all of which are adding to young peoples’ stress.
How can a government which says job creation is at the top of its agenda cut the provision of guidance counsellors at second level?
How can a “smart economy” be created if students are not going to have the services of the guidance counsellor to organise career events and provide information on job opportunities?
A future workforce disenchanted and unmotivated by their careers due to lack of guidance will not “make us the best small country in the world”.
The specialist service provided by the guidance counsellor ensures help and support is available to our most vulnerable young people as they meet the challenges of adolescence.
Without the guidance counsellor, Paul, Megan, Tom and Mary will slip through the net, may not finish their education and may self-harm or contemplate suicide.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn hopes to save €32 million by bringing guidance counsellors within the staffing quota, in effect increasing the pupil-teacher ratio and taking 800 guidance counsellors out of this essential specialist role.
How can this be fair or equitable to school managers and to vulnerable students and their parents and guardians? How will this save money, as these very students will require additional supports as adults — if they survive?
How can a minister ignore the increased stress on our young people due to the economic recession and justify the budget cuts to education that will see vulnerable students without the support and guidance they deserve?
Minister, who will young people turn to if you cut the guidance and counselling provision in our schools?
* Mai Kerins is guidance counsellor at Ashton School, Blackrock Road, Cork.
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