Counselling
Overview
Counselling is defined as a collaborative process in which the counsellor or psychologist facilitates the expansion of the pupil’s view of life, enlarges his repertoire of coping resources and enables him to make choices for change in himself, the situation and the environment, without destructive consequences to self or others1. The process is directed by the application of specialised skills and strategies in a therapeutic relationship with the pupil with problems. The goal of intervention is to help pupils manage these problems effectively so that their total development would not be impeded.
The counselling services in school are organised in a tiered system, beginning with first level intervention by teachers. All teachers undergo 9-hour training in basic counselling skills which equips them with skills such as empathic listening and attending skills. If the intervention is unsuccessful or for cases requiring more specialised attention, referral is made by teachers to the Teacher Counsellors, Part Time School Counsellors, Full Time School Counsellors or external counsellors employed by the school. Pupils requiring more intense intervention are referred to MOE Guidance Specialists or professional agencies, such as the Child Guidance Clinic.
MOE has made provision for the following counselling personnel in the school:
- Two specially appointed Teacher Counsellors (TC) in every primary school and junior college / centralised institute and four TCs in every secondary school. TCs are trained in counselling skills, special areas such as suicide intervention and counselling for grief and loss, and management of behaviour in emergency situations;
- Two specially appointed CARE (Caring Action in Response to an Emergency) Officers who are given training in management of behaviour in emergency situations;
- Part Time School Counsellors (PTSC), who are retired education officers, trained in counselling at the Diploma level;
- Full Time School Counsellors (FTSC), who are serving Education Officers, former Education officers, and non-Education Officers, trained in counselling at the Diploma level by National Institute of Education.
Part Time School Counsellor (PTSC) Scheme
The Part Time School Counsellor (PTSC) Scheme for Retired Education Officers was introduced in September 2000 to build the counselling resources in schools. This scheme aims to augment the pool of available counselors within the Education Service and supplements the Full Time School Counsellor Scheme. Retired teachers with suitable counseling disposition are invited to serve as PTSCs.
To be eligible for the appointment as a PTSC, the retired education officers must:
- have some counselling-related experience
- possess skills related to rapport building, effective interpersonal interactions, problem-solving and programme planning and implementation
Successful candidates will have to complete a Diploma programme in school counselling comprising of academic instructions, field practice and supervision conducted by a training agency appointed by MOE. Assessment will be done through written assignments, projects and examinations.
At a Glance
| Full Time School Counsellor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility |
Serving EOs
|
Former EOs
|
Non EOs
|
| Leave Benefits | Vacation Leave Scheme | ||
| Work Load | 42 hours / week | ||
| Minimum Service Period (applicable to those who underwent full-time training in NIE | 2 years | ||
| Period of Term/Contract | 3 year term (inclusive of training) | 3 year contract (inclusive of training) | |
| Termination Notice | 1 month | ||
| Notice of Conversion Back to Teaching (Upon completion of 3-year contract) | 2 months notice | Not Applicable | |
Aim
The aim of the scheme is to build a pool of counsellors within the Education Service to meet the counselling needs of schools and assist schools in planning school-wide guidance programmes.
Roles
The Full Time School Counsellor (FTSC) works closely with the school management in setting up school counselling services to students and providing case consultations to school personnel and parents. The FTSC will also identify, devise and deliver training programmes for students and teachers in the area of social and emotional development.
Eligibility
Three categories of candidates are eligible. They are:
-
Serving Education Officers (EOs):
- Possess at least 5 years of trained teaching experience
- Preferably of a substantive grade of at least GEO1A2/GEO2A2
- Have a good performance record for the last 3 years
-
Former Education Officers (EOs):
- Preferably of substantive grade of at least GEO1A2/GEO2A2 prior to leaving service
- Possess at least 5 years of working experience (including at least 3 years experience in the Education Service)
- Have a good performance record for the last 3 years prior to leaving service
- Those granted early retirement on optional age or medical grounds are not eligible
-
Non-Education Officers (EOs):
- A degree in any discipline
- Preferably have a Post-Graduate Diploma/Masters in counselling
- School and counselling experience would be an advantage
Appointment
Successful candidates will be appointed as follows:
- Serving EOs will be retained on the Education Service (ES) Scheme and offered a 3-year term as FTSC.
- Former EOs will be appointed under the Contract Adjunct Teachers Programme (AJTP) on a 3-year contract on a full-load2.
- Non-EOs will be appointed on the Management Executive Scheme (MXS), with a contract of 3 years.
The 3-year term and contract cover the training period for candidates. At the end of the appointment term and contract, FTSC may be offered a renewal of appointment and contract.
Training
The six-month full time Diploma in School Counselling (DSC) conducted by the National Institute of Education will only be provided for successful candidates without suitable professional counselling qualification. The Diploma comprises two main components namely course work and fieldwork. Those who have undergone this MOE-sponsored training will have to serve a Minimum Service Period3 (MSP) of 2 years.
Career Path
The FTSC post for education officers is positioned as a "sub-specialisation" on the Teaching Track under the Edu-Pac career structure. Hence, deserving FTSCs who meet prevailing criteria can be promoted to the substantive grade of SEO1. In addition, FTSCs who have a keen interest in the field of counselling and guidance can advance into the Senior Specialist Track if they fulfil the prevailing requirements.
FTSCs who are non-education officers will be appointed as Management Executive Officers (MXOs) and will progress along the MXO career track which can include positions of higher responsibility within the ministry.
Professional Development
FTSCs are entitled to 100 hours of training a year for their professional development. They will also be able to apply for the Professional Development Leave Scheme if they meet the requirements.
Deployment
Candidates who require training will only appointed as FTSCs upon successful completion of the training.
FTSCs will generally be deployed to the same school that they were attached to during their field work. After serving 3 years in a posting, a FTSC may make a request for posting to another school if there is a vacancy.
Application
The Full Time School Counsellor Scheme is open for application annually. Visit the Executive and Administrative Careers website for information on the application process.
Footnotes:
- Adapted from Yeo, A. (1993). Counselling: A Problem-Solving Approach, Armour Publishing (p5). ↵
- AFTSCs appointed under the Contract AJTP would not be allowed to change their workload on a per-semester basis. ↵
- For MOE-sponsored NIE courses, a Minimum Service Period (MSP) is normally imposed, subject to a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years. The MSP starts after the completion of the course. ↵