The Ministry of Education is conducting training on psychosocial support for child protection officers in schools, along with providing counseling for students dealing with drug abuse, according to Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca.
During a presentation to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, which reviewed annual reports from 2018 to 2021, Kuruleca emphasized the importance of psychosocial support for recovery and healing. She stated that such support is essential for the overall development of children and adolescents, encompassing their physical, emotional, and social growth.
“Psychosocial support involves understanding the emotional responses of children through observation and monitoring, as well as reducing emotional distress by providing reassurance and demonstrating positive behaviors,” Ms. Kuruleca explained.
She also highlighted that psychosocial support can reveal the various reasons behind a child’s drug use, which might be driven by curiosity, experimentation, or efforts to cope with trauma stemming from family or personal issues.
In addition, Ms. Kuruleca instructed school leaders to manage any syringes discovered on school grounds with utmost caution. She noted that in light of the rise of drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine, and the use of syringes for drug administration within communities, heads of schools have been reminded to handle such items with protective care.