The Ministry of Education is offering psychosocial support training to child protection officers in schools and counseling for students who are struggling with substance abuse, according to Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca.
During a presentation to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, which was reviewing the ministry’s annual reports from 2018 to 2021, Kuruleca emphasized the importance of psychosocial support in aiding recovery and healing.
“Psychosocial support is essential for promoting comprehensive child and adolescent development, encompassing physical, emotional, and social growth,” she stated.
She detailed that supporting a child in recovering from traumatic experiences requires understanding their emotional responses through careful observation and monitoring. This support aims to alleviate emotional distress by offering a listening ear, reassurance, and modeling positive behaviors.
Additionally, Kuruleca noted that psychosocial support can help reveal the various reasons that may lead a child to experiment with drugs, which can include curiosity, coping mechanisms, or trauma stemming from family or personal issues.
To address safety concerns, she instructed school heads to exercise caution with any syringes found on school grounds.
“With the rise of new drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as the use of syringes for drug administration in communities, all heads of schools have been reminded to handle such items with appropriate protective measures if they are discovered on campus,” she added.