XN000022-1981-03-02 — Page 5

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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

STUDENT GUIDANCE SCHEME GETS BOOST

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXPECTS TO HAVE THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF 230 TRAINED OFFICERS IN THE STUDENT GUIDANCE SCHEME BY JANUARY 1982 TO EXTEND ITS SERVICE TO COVER ALL TYPES OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF ABOUT 550 000 PUPILS.

THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO PUPILS ON PERSONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL MATTERS AND TO CHECK ON NON-ATTENDANCE.

SINCE ITS INCEPTION TWO YEARS AGO MORE THAN 5 000 SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE RECEIVED HELP THROUGH THE SCHEME.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID MUCH OF THE EFFORTS OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS (SGO'S) ARE DEVOTED TO CASES REFERRED BY TEACHERS WHICH INVOLVE EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH TEACHERS, PARENTS AND PUPILS CONCERNED.

MANY CASES ARE REFERRED TO THE SGO'S WHEN PUPILS EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING OR SHOW UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOUR.

THROUGH OBSERVATIONS, INTERVIEWS AND HOME VISITS, SGO'S KEEP CLOSE LIAISON WITH TEACHING STAFF AND PARENTS TO WORK OUT THE BEST REMEDIAL ACTION FOR THE CHILD AND TO HELP HIM DEVELOP MORE DESIRABLE CONDUCT.

COMPLEX CASES REQUIRING PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING ARE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OR THE STUDENT GUIDANCE CONSULTING/RECEIVING OFFICERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS MORE THAN 66 000 CASE INTERVIEWS AND 7 000 HOME VISITS HAVE BEEN MADE.

*THE JOB OF AN SGO REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF DEDICATION AS IT INVOLVES MANY AFTER-OFFICE HOURS VISITS TO THE HOMES OF THE CHILDREN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+ IT IS A LOT OF HARD WORK WHICH CAN BE FRUSTRATING AT TIMES,+ HE SAID, +BUT TO BE ABLE TO SEE YOU HAVE HELPED A YOUNG CHILD FIND HIS PLACE IN THE WORLD IS A MOST GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE.+

CASES DEALT WITH BY THE SGO'S VARY FROM HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS, TO GUIDING THE PARENTS TO BECOME AWARE OF THE NEEDS AND LIMITATIONS OF THEIR CHILDREN.

TO BUILD UP A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL CHILDREN, SGO'S REACH OUT TO MAKE PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH THEM TO LET THEM KNOW THAT HELP IS AVAILABLE TO THEM WHEN THE NEED ARISES.

ASIDE FROM REMEDIAL WORK. THE SCHEME PLACES EQUAL EMPHASIS ON THE PREVENTIVE ASPECTS OF ENHANCING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, IMPARTING SOCIAL SKILLS AND BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

MORE THAN 4 000 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY SGO'S FOR SCHOOLS AS PART OF THIS PREVENTIVE WORK. THESE INCLUDE CAMPING TRIPS, VISITS, AND TALKS ON VARIOUS TOPICS SUCH AS PERSONAL HYGIENE, FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATIONS WITH SCHOOLMATES, TEACHERS AND PARENTS.

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