The Ministry of Education is offering psychosocial support training for child protection officers in schools, as well as counseling for students struggling with drug abuse, according to permanent secretary for the Education Ministry, Selina Kuruleca.
She addressed the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, which reviewed the Ministry for Education, Heritage, and Arts’ annual reports from 2018 to 2021. Kuruleca emphasized that training in psychosocial support is essential for recovery and healing.
“Psychosocial support plays a vital role in fostering holistic development in children and adolescents, including their physical, emotional, and social growth,” she stated.
She explained that aiding a child in recovering from traumatic experiences entails understanding their emotional responses through careful observation and monitoring. Effective support includes alleviating emotional distress by providing reassurance, active listening, and modeling positive behaviors. Kuruleca noted that psychosocial support can help identify the various factors that lead children to drug use, which may stem from curiosity, experimentation, or attempts to cope with personal or family issues they face.
Additionally, she mentioned that school leaders have been instructed to carefully manage any syringes discovered on school grounds.
“In light of the emergence of harmful drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine, along with the use of syringes for drug transmission in communities, all heads of schools have been reminded to handle these items with utmost care.”