SCHOOLS across the country are offering programmes to address emotional and behavioural abnormalities in children and protect them from domestic abuse, it has been revealed.
Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi said social guidance specialists at government and private schools were being trained extensively, in partnership with other ministries and government bodies concerned, to enable them to address mental challenges among children.
He said three dedicated bodies have been set up at the ministry for student counselling, psychological and academic counselling and school health.
The minister was responding, in writing, to a question by Shura Council youth and sport committee vice-chairwoman Sabeeka Al Fadhala on services provided by the ministry to tackle rising mental health challenges among children.
“We have been offering specialised courses for counsellors and teachers in both private and government schools since September 2018,” Dr Al Nuaimi pointed out.
“It will help them identify behavioural disorders among children while also equipping them to handle students who have faced abuse or violence in any form.”
He added that school managements, parents and authorities concerned are also informed about students struggling with educational or development issues.
“Our psychological and academic counselling centre diagnoses cases and conducts tests on referred students to decide on the best approach.
“Severe cases are transferred to the Psychiatric Hospital.”
Dr Al Nuaimi added that relevant authorities are alerted about students suspected to have been victimised by domestic violence.
He also highlighted the Maan (Together) programme carried out in partnership with the Interior Ministry, which has reduced the number of drug addicts in schools.
“More than 80 per cent of schools have been covered by the Maan programme,” he said.
“We are planning to take it to more institutions in the coming months.
“The ministry participates in several activities to raise awareness against violence and bullying in schools.”
Rights
The minister also highlighted the ‘citizenship’ curricula focusing on human and individual rights.
“Family education, social and Islamic studies, Arabic and English books taught in schools focus on rooting out unacceptable behaviour and violence in children,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Al Nuaimi said students with learning difficulties were studying the same subjects as other children.
“They are given the same books as their peers – the only difference is they have specialised teachers to help them in classrooms,” said the minister.
“They are also given three to five treatment tutorials a week to help overcome difficulties.
“Teachers for such students are enrolled in training courses for 240 hours a year, and if they succeed, they are promoted.”
He also added that several children with learning disabilities are integrated into normal classrooms after careful assessment by experts.
“We have enrolled students with learning difficulties in 21 government schools this academic year,” Dr Al Nuaimi said.
“The ministry provided 28,646 special online classes last year with 5,736 for students with mental challenges, 10,416 for autistic children, 10,863 for those with learning difficulties and 1,631 for those with language and speech disorders.”
Members will be notified about both replies during Sunday’s weekly session.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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