Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) Chandigarh organized a “Training program of Government School Counsellors” of all Government school of U.T. Chandigarh to discuss about various Roles and responsibilities of counsellors on September 15th and 16th at Conference Hall, CCPCR, Admin Block, Snehalaya, Chandigarh.
Mr. Chanchal Singh, RTE Consultant, CCPCR welcomed and introduced the theme of the training program with the participants. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson, CCPCR highlighted that role of counsellors is of paramount importance in wellbeing of children.
Therefore, it becomes more essential that being the counsellor, one has to deliver a role of partner with whom children can share things without any hesitation. Adoption of sensitive approach is must for safeguarding the mental, social and emotional health of children. The Chief Guest of the occasion Ms. Prabhjot Kaur, Deputy Director, Education Department, Chandigarh Administration congratulated and acknowledged the Commission for organizing this training programme. Ms. Bindu Arora, District Education Officer, Chandigarh also graced the occasion and highlighted to create a positive bond with students.
Ms. Monica Chawla, Principal, St. Joseph Sr. Sec, School Sector 44, Chandigarh and Dr. Niyati Chitkara, Director, Chitkara International School Chandigarh threw light on “Role of Counsellor : Issues and Concerns” as Key deliverers. Ms. Monica discussed various aspects like PCA i.e., Person care and attention in which we had to provide mentorship for connectivity beyond academics to the list of facing problems from the family end and 2. Peer Fit Formulae i.e., to encourage the children who are not able to adjust to provided academic session.
She had a keen discussion on peace corner and mindfulness corner. While Dr. Niyati talked about importance of Career Trajectory, Open Book Exam Technique, etc in detail.While speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kuljeet Kaur Brar, Assistant Professor (Education), USOL, Panjab University gave her intrinsic ideas on the ‘Effectiveness of counselling: Methods and Techniques.’ She showed connective concern on the very topic.
She also shared the scope of counselling, therapeutic alliance, behavior change. Major discussion was given on Art as a therapeutic tool to help and support children at school level. She also shared some insightful opinions on music, drama, dance and movement, and play therapy.Ms. Ankita, Consultant, CCPCR Chandigarh threw light on Protection of Children from sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012 and said that if any case of sexual abuse happens then immediate reporting of such incident must be done by the school authorities.
She further emphasized that non-reporting of the any child abuse case is a punishable offence. She talked about the various provisions as mentioned in the concerned act.The Open House Session was very well conducted by Dr. Monica Singh and Ms. Pooja Punchhi, Members of CCPCR to answer and discuss the queries of all the participants. Mr. Kartar Singh, Legal Consultant, Mr. Arvind K Dhawan, Sr.Assistant, CCPCR, and Mr. Shekhar, Clerk, CCPCR were also present during this training program.