Teachers to Use New Skills to Counsel Yasa-Affected Students
When teachers Aveet Arvin Kumar, 27, and Jotishna Prasad, 32, from Lekutu Secondary and Lekutu Primary School in Bua enrolled in their Diploma in Counselling Programme two years ago, no one knew how vital their learned skills would be in 2021.
Now, after being among the 35 Fijian teachers from around the country to graduate with their diplomas from the Australian Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) yesterday, everything they learned will be put to good use helping schools and students affected by Cyclone Yasa. The graduation ceremony was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
“I am ready to put what I have learnt to good use,” Ms Prasad said.
“By now everyone knows about the devastation and damages that was sustained in Lekutu District School and also the state that some of their students are in post- TC Yasa,” she said.
“We have a huge role to play, we will be a bridge that will be a source of hope and healing from the traumatic events and experiences that has really devastated our students from the province of Bua.”
Ms Prasad, who has been teaching in Vanua Levu for more than 10 years, says she has now called Vanua Levu home.
“I know what I will be expecting next week and I am preparing myself to welcome my students with open arms even though they will be studying in tents or coming to school with the little that they can bring.”
She acknowledged of her family and the her support in-laws
who had been a major source of strength during her two years as a working and studying from Bua. Mr Aveet Kumar said he was grateful to the Fijian and Australian Governments for enabling them to pursue their education in this field to be able to increase the number of qualified counsellors in schools around the country. Minister for Education Rosy Ak
bar congratulated the 35 teachers and said: “It’s your role as counsellors to heal the traumatic wound, use the knowledge that you have gained to restore their mental health.
“As a ministry we remain committed to assisting teachers and students to create that enabling learning environment, some students in the North when they return to school next Tuesday, they will find their school not what it was when they left it.
“Remember your roles, welcome your children with open arms, and provide them with hope and guidance because that is what they will need.”