State Council approves proposals focusing on social, economic and psychological needs of society
Muscat - State Council’s first regular session of the third sitting of the sixth term (2015-19) chaired by H E Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri was held on Tuesday.
It was held in accordance with the provisions of Article 85 bis (29) of the Basic Law and was also attended by Dr Khalid bin Salim al Saidi, secretary general of the council, stated a press release.
The highlights of the session included approval of the proposals of the Economic committee on ‘Integrating the Standard of Living and Productivity’ and ‘Possibilities for Enhancing the Independence of the National Economy’. The council also approved the proposals of the Social committee to study ‘Reality of services provided by sports clubs and how to benefit from them to serve the community’ and ‘Omani national project to reduce child accidents’. In addition, it approved the proposal submitted by Dr Suad Mohamed Ali Sulaiman al Lawati, vice chairperson, State Council, on practising psychological counselling.
The council approved the proposal of the Economic committee to study the topics, ‘Integrating the Standard of Living and Productivity’ and ‘Possibilities for Enhancing the Independence of the National Economy’.
The council also approved the proposals of the Social Committee to study the ‘Reality of services provided by sports clubs and how to benefit from them to serve the community’ and the ‘Omani national project to reduce child accidents’.
The study will focus child safety legislations, propose new items or amend existing ones, and develop a national strategy that works through partnership between various sectors.
Regarding the study on ‘Reality of the services provided by sports clubs and ways to benefit them to serve the community’, the Social committee has cited several reasons for studying the subject: Lack of conformity of the role of sports clubs with the objectives stipulated in its statutes.
The council then discussed the proposal submitted by Dr Suad on ‘Practising the profession of psychological guidance’. It approved the proposal and a committee will be formed to formulate the proposal to finalise it and include the members’ comments and observations.
Dr Suad explained that there is an absence of law that regulates the work of private counselling and family counselling centres. “The Ministry of Social Development issued regulations for these centres, without any know-how.”
She said that the providers of family counselling services must be professionally qualified with a postgraduate degree in the field of psychological counselling, clinical psychology or mental health, as well as practical training as per international standards.