Kinbu SHTS students undergo crisis counselling session

Students of the Kinbu Senior High Technical School have undergone a two-day crisis counselling following the tragic incident that resulted in the death of a first-year student. 

Jointly led by the Director of the Greater Accra Regional Education Directorate, Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah and the Regional Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, Love Amponsah, the students were taken through various sessions.

The students were guided in developing strategies to manage the crisis and return to their pre-crisis functioning levels.
Counsellors also provided emotional assistance and stress reduction techniques to alleviate the immediate stresses faced by the students.

The counselling team included representatives from the Greater Accra Educational Guidance and Counselling Association, including the President, Kofi Dadzie, from the Krowor Municipal Education Directorate,  the Vice, Sally Mbia-Coleman, from the Ga East Municipal Education Directorate and Naomi Tetteh from the Korley Klottey Municipal Education Directorate.
Counsellors from various districts, including Ga South, Ga Central, Ga West, Ledzokuku, Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma West, Ayawaso East and Weija Gbawe, participated in the programme, which targeted students from SHS 1 to SHS 3, as well as all the teachers in the School.

They emphasised the need for senior high school counsellors to collaborate with their respective coordinators to create tailored action plans for students and the community. 

Goal

Ms Amponsah said the session's goal was to assist traumatised students in managing the incident's immediate aftermath and restoring a sense of control and stability.

The she said counselling sessions focused on addressing immediate needs and providing resources to help students cope with the crisis, preventing long-term negative impacts.

The Ga East Counsellor, Ms Mbia-Coleman, said the crisis counselling initiative represented a vital step in addressing the emotional needs of the Kinbu SHTS students and fostering a supportive school environment in the wake of tragedy.

Ms Amponsah encouraged students to participate in the Value Learning Community (VLC) programme being piloted at the school, emphasising its role in promoting discipline and focus.

The programme fosters holistic education by integrating values into the learning experience.

It is aimed at equipping students with academic knowledge and crucial 21st-century skills and values that will benefit them in various aspects of life.

Ms Amponsah called on the students to discourage negative behaviours, adding, “The school is a safe environment for learning and achieving future goals”. 

Recommendation

The school's Headmistress, Sylvia Mawunyo Letcher-Teye, who provided several recommendations to enhance student safety and well-being, called on parents to ensure that students do not bring weapons to school, while encouraging them to provide necessary learning materials.

She urged authorities to assign security personnel to the school due to its geographical location.