PANJIM: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has recommended the State government to bring special schools under the Counselling Scheme and to appoint counsellors for children with disabilities and provide them appropriate training.
In a letter written to the Director of Education, the GSCPCR chairperson Peter F Borges said that there are several special schools for children with disabilities in the State and none of these schools have appointed counsellor as per the information provided by the Goa Education Development Corporation (GEDC), which also implements the Counselling Scheme for students.
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In support of students with special needs, the school counsellor plays an important role of advocacy to help them achieve and succeed on a level comparative to other students. They play an important role to raise awareness among teachers and staff so they understand students’ disabilities and can better educate them. The counsellor can also participate in the identification of students with special needs in collaboration with teachers, Borges has stated in his letter.
Caring for a special child is a doubly difficult situation involving physical, financial and emotional stress. The stigma associated with disabilities also increases the family’s sense of isolation. Hence, counsellor’s service in school setting can address the chronic strain of parents as the childcare can cause relatively enduring problems in their day-to-day lives, he said.
Given that children with different disabilities also face high risk of sexual violence and abuse, having a counsellor is extremely necessary. Those with physical disabilities may find it more difficult to escape from violent and abuse situations due to limited mobility. Those who are visually or hearing impaired may not be able to call for help or easily communicate abuse o may be more vulnerable to attacks simply due to the lack of ability to hear their surroundings.
With evolving needs and NEP 2020, inclusivity and psychological services need to be given attention and seen as a right to protection of children with disabilities in schools, Borges said asking the Directorate of Education to file action taken report before the Commission by January 30, 2023.
