CBSE tightens norms, mandates counselling and career guidance staff in schools, ETEducation
Nagpur: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has amended its affiliation bye-laws to make the appointment of qualified counselling and wellness teachers and career counsellors mandatory in all affiliated secondary and senior secondary schools.
Under the new provisions, every school must appoint a Counselling and Wellness Teacher (Socio-Emotional Counsellor) at a ratio of one counsellor for every 500 students. Earlier, schools had the flexibility to engage counsellors on a full-time or part-time basis, particularly with lower enrolment.
Counsellors must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology—clinical, counselling, or applied/educational psychology—or a master’s degree in social work with specialisation in mental health or counselling. Candidates with a degree in any subject, along with a diploma in school counselling or child guidance and counselling, are also eligible.
CBSE has outlined core competencies, including socio-emotional learning, crisis intervention, identification of mental health issues, confidentiality, and sensitisation of parents and teachers. Appointed counsellors must complete at least 50 hours of capacity-building programmes, preferably through board-recommended courses. Schools may also adopt the CBSE counselling hub-and-spoke model.
For career guidance, CBSE has mandated the appointment of one career counsellor for every 500 students in Classes 9 to 12. Career counsellors must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in humanities, science, social sciences, management, education, or technology, and demonstrate competencies in career assessment, higher education pathways in India and abroad, research, student-parent counselling, and industry and university linkages. They must also complete a minimum of 50 hours of capacity-building programmes.
In the absence of a qualified career counsellor, schools may nominate a trained teacher, who must acquire the prescribed qualifications and competencies within two academic years.
The circular, signed by CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta, has been issued to all heads and managers of CBSE-affiliated schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. CBSE said the amendments aim to institutionalise mental health care and structured career counselling in schools amid growing concerns over student well-being, academic stress and informed career choices.
In a circular issued on January 19, CBSE notified amendments to Clause 2.4.12 of the Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018, following recommendations of the affiliation committee and approval by the governing body and controlling authority. The revised norms apply to all CBSE-affiliated schools across the country.
Source link
