Counselling and social work in trade schools

Abstract

School Counselling is appropriate for adolescents who are basically sound in mind, but who need help at certain stages of their development. (Anne Jones, 1970, p. 25) The need for school Counselling service has always been considered essential for both students and school. Moreover, the increase of personal and social problems with adolescent students had even more emphasized the need for the posting of Guidance/Counselling teachers in schools. Though a foundation of the Guidance and Counselling Unit was established between the years 1968-1972, this was unfortunately dissolved after a few years of its existence. Then, in 1975, when the re-organisation, agreement between the Government and the Malta Union of Teachers was signed. The Guidance Unit was officially reorganized. In 1977 School Counselling service was introduced at the 6th Form level, and then in February 1986 it was also introduced in Trade Schools. This has been a positive move towards the welfare of students attending trade schools, whose problems badly needed the assistance of a qualified Counsellor. [...]