Deploy Professional Counsellors In Schools, Association Urges Fed Govt

The Association of Professional Counsellors In Nigeria (APROCON) has urged the federal government to deploy massive Professional counsellors at all levels of educational system to address moral decadence/deficits among school children and students.

APROCON made the called in a communique, issued at the end of its 6th annual international conference, held at University of Ilorin.

The National President of APROCON, Prof. Ekundayo Ocholi decried the lack of professional counsellors in many schools which is far from what is expected in our educational system.

The association made passionate plea for the National Assembly to also concludes the legislation process on the bill which has now reached an advanced stage. “The Bill when passed and assented to, will regulate the helping relationship and mental health concerns in school and non-school settings,” it said.

The communique stressed on the following; “A call on government and school proprietors for full engagement of professional activities of counsellors in schools.

“The engagement of counsellors in non-school settings, especially in critical governmental agencies such as NOA, NDLEA, NAPTIP, Correctional Centres. etc., and other humanitarian sector such as the IDP camps.”

On his part, he Vice Chancellor of University of Illorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole charged the association not to relent in her efforts in youth formation and reformation.

The Hon. Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Andrew Apeh decried a growing number of youth restiveness in our educational institutions.

He stated that the Federal Ministry of Education has intensified efforts by embarking on initiatives and interventions aimed at reducing high incidences of anti-social behaviours. He further urged that APROCON should not relent in proffering solutions to the social problems.

It further said the theme for next year conference will be Counselling for Value Re-Orientation and the conference will take place between 5th and 10th November, 2023 at Keffi, Nasarawa state.