High demand for Counselling Diploma in UniFiji
Diploma in Counselling programme at the University of Fiji is in demand, as there is a shortage of counsellors in Fiji schools.
There is a gradual increase in the number of students enrolled in the programme. Apart from teachers, people from civil society groups are enrolling in the programme.
These were the comments by the Head of Education Department, Associate Professor Wahab Ali.
Mr Ali said the programme was introduced as there was an acute shortage of counsellors in Fiji and this shortage was echoed by the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts (MEHA).
“In 2019, MEHA had made public statements about the need for more counsellors in schools. It was stated that there was a shortage of counsellors in schools is due to higher education institutions not providing qualifications in counselling,” he said.
“The proposed diploma in counselling program is in response to the MEHA’s policy and is meant for both teachers and working professionals who are related to the field of teaching.
“This programme also intends to prepare counsellors who can assist students who are victims of COVID-19 related socio-economic issues like domestic violence stress and poverty.”
He said this programme could be completed in two years on a part-time basis.
“It fills in the gap, timely, since there is a high demand for counsellors in schools,” Mr Ali added. “The curriculum is designed to be flexible to meet the varied needs of different students and the experiences of the practitioners.”
He also said it aimed to enable counselling practitioners to apply in-depth knowledge of child and family development and transitions, consent and confidentiality, legal issues relevant to child and family work, interagency working and engaging with families and young people.
“This programme intends to prepare counsellors who can assist students who are victims of post COVID-19 related socio-economic issues like domestic violence stress and poverty,” he said.
He said students would be able to get counselling assistance from well qualified counsellors who were well versed with counselling knowledge and skills.
The counselling programme: students for academic, career and social challenges by relating educational agendas to their success in the future; students to complete their studies successfully; students to study and complete tasks given by teachers; values and virtues in students in way of having respect for one another; students to attend classes daily and thus reduce their disengagement from schools; and student self-esteem by motivating them to achieve their goals.
Upon completing able to:
this programme students
will be counselling therapy and micro-skills quired in assisting students in schools; an understanding of the applications of counselling therapy and micro-skills in counselling and mentoring; micro-skills to relieve distress among young people who are reacting to difficult circumstances; counselling therapy to help student to grow explore & maintain or develop their overall personality. re