WorldStage Newsonline– The Federal Ministry of Education has officially unveiled the Counselling Practitioners of Nigeria (CPCN) Council with the goal of regulating counseling practice nationwide.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abel Enitan, emphasised the need for the council to improve the quality of counseling services in Nigeria during the inauguration held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Represented by the Director of Polytechnics and Allied Education, Usman Ejeh, Enitan acknowledged the setbacks in counseling practice.
He noted issues such as misconceptions, role conflicts, and a lack of understanding of the counseling profession, which had hindered its effectiveness.
“Behavioral challenges commonly manifest among adolescents, which can hinder their growth and development into responsible adults in society if left unchecked.
“It is also important to note that counseling practice, particularly in Nigerian schools, has suffered setbacks.
“This is due to issues such as misconceptions, a lack of understanding of the concepts and nature of counseling, undefined roles, and role conflicts, all of which have made counseling appear ineffective in achieving its desired goals.
“It was on this premise that the Federal Ministry of Education conceived the idea of developing the National Policy on Counseling (NPC) and its implementation guidelines,” he said.
He stressed that the new committee would focus on defining counselors’ roles and streamlining counseling practices to ensure desired outcomes.
The Director of Education Support Services, Lara Nana-Ahmed, urged the council to recognise their pivotal role in contributing to the development of the education sector.
In response, the Chairman of the Governing Board, Prof. Malami Tambawal, assured the council’s commitment to advancing educational development in Nigeria.
