BMC plans to appoint counsellors in schools

MUMBAI: After a 13-year-old from a civic school allegedly committed suicide in the Sion area on October 9, the education department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a first, plans to appoint counsellors in schools for the mental wellbeing of students.

The suicide, as per the police reports, was due to alleged humiliation by the mathematics teacher, which the student could not bear. According to her parents, the girl was humiliated in front of the entire class for being absent and not bringing the absent note. However, the education department, which is looking into the bigger picture, feels that students need additional surveillance than what they get from their teachers and parents.

The Asian Age spoke to the teachers to understand their views about the departmental move. Jyotsna Jaiprakash, a veteran teacher, felt that every school needed counsellors as it was a “need” nowadays. “Students are way more sensitive now than students 10 years back. Even a high pitch noise of the teacher can shatter them, internally. It is not their fault but that of their environment. Appointing a counsellor is a need in every school. While private and international schools already have these provisions, civic schools initiating it is a good sign that schools are now caring about the mental state of the child and not just academics,” said Ms Jaiprakash, who has retired after 32 years in the teaching profession.

Mahesh Palkar, education officer of BMC, confirmed to this newspaper that currently, they were in the planning stage and that the idea would be soon executed.