The Ministry of Education is offering psychosocial support training for child protection officers in schools and counseling for students struggling with substance abuse, according to permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca.
She presented this information to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, which reviewed the ministry’s annual reports from 2018 to 2021, highlighting the importance of psychosocial support training for recovery and healing.
“Psychosocial support can foster comprehensive development in children and adolescents, addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs,” Ms. Kuruleca stated.
She emphasized that offering psychosocial support facilitates a child’s recovery from traumatic experiences by observing their emotional reactions, alleviating distress through attentive listening and reassurance, and modeling positive behaviors.
Psychosocial support also assists in uncovering the underlying reasons for a child’s drug use, which may include curiosity, experimentation, or using substances as a coping mechanism for personal or familial challenges.
Ms. Kuruleca instructed school leaders to exercise caution when dealing with any syringes found on school grounds.
“Given the emergence of drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine and the use of syringes within communities, all heads of schools have been reminded to carefully handle such items if they are discovered in school.”