In an effort to intensify and enhance student support services, the Ministry of Education will provide a psychology training for 50 guidance counsellors countrywide as part of its anti-bullying and anti-violence initiative.
The programme will be implemented through a partnership with the School of the Nations and offer a UK-based 10-week training designed to improve the skills of guidance counsellors already serving within the school systems.
Speaking on the sidelines of an anti-bullying and anti-violence policies consultation, Minister of Education Sonia Parag stressed the importance of the training, explaining that “it is an enhancement to the social work training already received as an undergraduate.”
She explained that the training will equip them with greater capacity, enabling them to address delicate and sensitive issues affecting students and the wider school community.
In addition, the programme is also intended to improve the counsellors’ ability to respond to matters such as bullying, violence and other psychosocial challenges, while providing support to teachers when necessary.
The first cohort is expected to complete the training before the start of the upcoming academic school term 2026/2027. Following the completion of this initial group, the training will be expanded for all guidance counsellors.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to create safer, supportive and inclusive environments for learning.