The Hindu : Kerala News : Tackling academic, emotional problems

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Tackling academic, emotional problems

In the School Health Programme conducted in Ernakulam district by the Department of Homoeopathy, it was found that many high school children need to get some sort of counselling during their adolescent period to get their priorities set in the right direction.

While some need to get only a little support, there are others in a class who might need continuous counselling sessions. The programme, which was started in 2003-04 in two schools, has not yet been extended to other schools for lack of human resource in the homoeo department.

“We have 22 doctors working on this project,” said the District Medical Officer (Homoepathy) Abdul Gaffoor. More time needs to be devoted for the programme to get better results, he said. Classes are held for children, parents and teachers separately and troubled children are counselled and also given medicines if required, Dr. Gaffoor said.

The health of the students is assessed for both physical and mental fitness. There are students who are troubled by low marks, who have behavioural problems, disabilities or learning disabilities. There could be problems at home or even in the school like an insensitive teacher, said Dr. Gaffoor. Over the years, changes have been found in children who were first counselled in Class 8th and who have passed Class 10th now, he said. Many children in the troubled group were able to do well in the public examination. A follow-up programme as well as more time and resources are needed to better results with counselling, Dr. Gaffoor said.

A questionnaire with 100 questions is given to all children in classes eighth, ninth and tenth. A feedback is sought from the teachers and parents regarding children in a class. Armed with the information, the doctors tackle the class. The preliminary questions are important to know the mental make-up of children. Further talks with the selected group may provide more clues to the problems faced by children.

It is important for the child to know that what he or she says will be absolutely confidential, said Dr. Sundaram Velayudhan, who is part of the programme. The health programme was initiated in Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Kaitharam, Parur and Krishturaj High School in Kumukara, Parur.

Some girl students had said that the school atmosphere is better than at home, mainly because of alcoholic fathers. There was a case of child abuse that came up during the interaction.

Shyama Rajagopal

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