By Teacher Roya –
Every high school and government college in the country has a full-time counselor who provides guidance and counseling services to every student and student. For government primary schools there are guidance teachers. The appointed school counselors are qualified, trained and certified to conduct counseling sessions with clients. Likewise in managing programs and activities related to guidance and counseling in secondary schools and colleges. It is under the supervision of the Counseling Unit, Counseling Division of the Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam.
The main task of counselors at school is to provide helpful services that are counseling and guidance either individually or in groups in a safe, therapeutic, structured and professional environment. Apart from that, counseling and guidance services at schools also plan, organize and implement and regulate various programs and activities. Programs and activities are to help each student and student in particular and the school and college in general in improving academic performance, developing a positive and dynamic personality and providing education to raise awareness of social issues.
School counselors are also responsible for giving workshops, courses and motivational talks to students, teachers and parents. Counselors become expert referrals for students, teachers and parents who face problems or crises. In order to carry out the assigned duties and responsibilities more efficiently, the school counselor also acts as an assistant officer in building good relationships with students, teachers, parents, school staff, the Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG), school alumni, the outside community and interested agencies.
Among the academic guidance programs planned and implemented are such as time management briefings and workshops, note-taking techniques and excellent and effective study skills.
In addition, motivational talks were also held, sharing inspiration from various sources such as outstanding school alumni at various levels, the school’s PIBG and from qualified motivational experts. To understand more clearly the ideal way or learning style for each student, personality tests such as VAK and VARK are given to students based on their tendency to use their senses.
Students are also exposed to effective techniques for handling study stress and exercises to focus on studying in class and studying at home. The school’s guidance and counseling services work closely with all subject teachers and the school administration to help improve learning motivation and student academic progress. Parents are advised to meet and discuss with the school counselor to help their children improve their academic performance and talents.
In order to become a useful individual in the future, the development of a student’s personality is also important apart from academic achievement. A number of programs are conducted to form skilled, dynamic and relevant student personalities according to current needs and challenges, among which are providing basic and advanced Peer Mentoring courses and the GINIS Program
Students who have a solid personality will be the pride of parents, make the name of the school fragrant and become a national asset in the future.
In meeting the various challenges of the present era, education on social issue awareness is also given priority to all school students.
Ceramah programs in the form of awareness and education are carried out in collaboration with various law enforcement and statutory agencies by inviting speakers from the relevant agencies to the school. Among the programs carried out are such as the dangers of smoking and vaping, anti-bullying awareness programs, student mental health programs, cyber security awareness programs and programs to visit places or agencies of interest.
The task of increasing motivation, providing guidance and awareness to students is a task that is borne and undertaken with full sincerity and responsibility to see the future of the country always be progressive, peaceful and peaceful in line with the aspirations of the Ministry of Education and the country’s vision 2035 which is an educated, highly skilled and succeeded.
In order to achieve Brunei Darussalam’s desire to become a developed country, it depends on its most valuable asset, the people of the country. The human resources in this country must be able to supply the country while adhering to the values of Malay Islam Beraja.
According to the fourth edition of the board dictionary guidance is the act of guiding which refers to the act of giving guidance and advice to individuals. It involves the process of guiding, giving information, supervising or directing individuals to perform certain actions. It is carried out by a certain individual who has expertise in their field to another individual.
Counseling is a systematic helping relationship process based on psychological principles. Counseling sessions can only be conducted by professional counselors who are certified to help clients towards good and comprehensive personal development and adjustment. Counseling sessions also aim to discuss personal or socio-psychological related issues involving emotional or mental instability.
Counselors listen to clients’ problems with empathy, use specific counseling skills learned and are bound by the ethics of confidentiality. Counseling also helps the client to identify the main cause of the problem faced and helps the client gain common sense so that the client can face the same issue later in the day if it happens again.