PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry will consider setting up a one-stop training centre at its Psychology and Counselling Division to improve the competency of 10,800 counselling teachers nationwide.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the division, which was established 10 years ago, would be able to share its expertise with the counselling practitioners on basic counselling, psycho-academic, therapy, module application, theory and practical training.
“Counselling teachers today need to be prepared to face the environment changes in school due to the advancement of technology and the upcoming challenges, including the Fourth Industry (Industry 4.0).
“We have to take into account current issues such as the emotional disturbance experienced by teachers, students commiting suicide, and teachers being sued by parents, among others. It is high time for the counsellors to voice out and give their views in addressing such issues,
“Therefore, the ministry will study the need to set up a one-stop training centre at the division which will be made as a reference point. This will help to produce trained and competent counselling teachers who can give positive and productive contributions to the education sector,” he said.
Mahdzir said this at a press conference after launching the ministry's Psychology and Counselling Division’s 10th Year Anniversary today.
Mahdzir said that previously, counselling teachers in schools nationwide were not given specific training to enhance their competency.
“Most of those appointed as counselling teachers were university graduates who had background in psychology studies and had undergone external training as a counselor.
“Hence, it is high time for the division to make some transformation to empower counselling teachers, especially in addressing certain issues and unexpected situations that touch on the ministry’s policies,” he said.