Prospective counsellors encouraged to join school system

As the Virgin Islands (VI) joined the rest of the world in National School Counselling Week 2021, from February 1-5, 2021, there was a call for more persons to join the fold of school counsellors in the Territory.

Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Mrs Connie E. George, during the ministry’s “A Chat with the Community” programme broadcast on Facebook on February 3 2021, encouraged professionals who are interested in the ministry’s counselling programme to submit applications for consideration.

“Submit your applications if you would like to become a counsellor in our schools. We do have some open positions and we would love to know that you would love to join.”

Counsellors across the Territory celebrated National School Counselling Week 2021 and informed the public on their roles as school counsellors, a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on Friday, February 5, 2021, stated.

Counsellor, Mr Jacob E. Edwards said his former school counsellor inspired him to take up the profession with the motivation he received

Motivation

Counsellor, Mr Jacob E. Edwards said his former school counsellor inspired him to take up the profession with the motivation he received.

Mr Edwards said: “What drove me to become a counsellor was mentorship. Mr [Sylvester] Smith [counsellor] has been one of my mentors from high school days and to see that I am actually here working with him as a colleague… shows that it sparked a positive energy and that is why I am here today.”

Applications for the position of counsellors can be submitted to the ministry’s office on the 3rd floor of Ward’s building or by email to mec@gov.vg.

National School Counselling Week 2021 was observed under the theme, “School Counsellors: All in for All Students.”

The week was focused on the unique contributions of school counsellors in the Virgin Islands and highlighted the positive impact school counsellors have in helping students achieve emotional growth and career planning.

From Left: School Counsellors Keriann Malone and Sharon Leonard. Counsellors across the Territory celebrated National School Counselling Week 2021 and informed the public on their roles as school counsellors.