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The following points highlight the four main tasks of actual guidance programme. The tasks are: 1. Orientation Programme 2. Contacting Parents 3. The Final Interview 4. The Staff Conference.
Task # 1. Orientation Programme:
This programme will be started from the delta class i.e., VIII class, one year junior to the secondary school class. VIII class a generally the topmost class in the middle schools. Indian Education Commission recommends inclusion of VIII class in the secondary school. Anyway, since this is the preparatory class most of orientation work will be finished here. It will consist of giving special talks and demonstrations.
To begin with three talks can be given to 8th class pupils on studying effectively, taking examination and imbibing social manners. This is in fact developmental work. Then half a dozen talks may be given on ‘problems of adolescence’, abilities of pupils, the personality traits, interest and ‘planning for future’. Then will start actual informative talks on careers for students offering various subjects like science, agriculture, technology, commerce, humanities, fine arts, home science and the like.
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A few detailed talks will follow regarding careers in the various fields like Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Technical Trades, Fine Arts, Social Science, Sports, Defence, Police, Mining, Education, Clerical work, Accountancy, Banking, Commerce and other allied fields.
A few special talks need to be given to the pupils of IX class on ‘Employment Exchange’, ‘Searching of Job’, interviews’ ‘Writing applications for employment, progressing in the occupations, and ‘occupational opportunities for school leavers.’
A careers’ exhibition must be organised on the annual day. A few trips to industrial and commercial places must be conducted during the course of the year.
Even besides giving special talks, some special days can be celebrated. The first day after the admissions may be utilised for showing round the school, its various wings, especially the library.
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Some extension lectures may be arranged, and distinguished educationists, doctors, bank managers, industrialists and business men invited to give special information about the respective fields to the pupils. The last working day at the end of the XI class may be utilised in giving special information about colleges and other institutions where the pupils will go.
Task # 2. Contacting Parents:
While providing educational and vocational guidance to the pupils, the parents need to be consulted. We cannot disregard them because their aspirations carry some weight, and they have probably better knowledge of their children than the teachers have. The socio-economic back-ground of the pupil can be known only from the parents.
The best method of contacting the parents if inviting them to the school and having discussions with them. Where this is not possible a questionnaire may be sent, seeking the necessary information from them such as the family data, the economic conditions, the monthly income, sources of income, the profession of parents, aspirations of parents and the financial help they can give to the child. If meetings are arranged, these can be either individual meetings or group meetings wherein the necessary information is sought, and the problems are discussed.
Individual and group-meetings are not safe from conflicts and differences between the teacher and the parents, howsoever rankness and toleration be observed. The conflicts usually arise due to the ignorance, obstinacy, financial problems and resolved ambitions of the parents. But a wise counsellor can employ the tool of persuations, present faithful explanation of the situation, and further leave to the parents.
Task # 3. The Final Interview:
The aim of this interview is to know the child’s final wishes, to gauge his interests and aptitudes, to discuss problems arising out of the data collected, to have free and frank discussion with the pupil which may reveal something not already got. The interview is held in a pleasant atmosphere.
The counsellor makes a thorough preparation. He keeps all the record ready, with its summaries. He notifies the time and place of interviews. He looks to the seating arrangement. He plans in advance as regards the beginning questions, the process of dialogue, the relevant questions to be asked, the manner of recording etc.
He discusses the problem in a frank atmosphere, listens to the pupils, asks questions, and enters into a conversation which may lead to rapport. Incidentally it must reveal the problem and its solution in a joint manner. The interview will be closed after the solution is arrived at, and the report is prepared.
Task # 4. The Staff Conference:
The object of the staff conference is to discuss all the individual problems, the major points arisen, to consider the opinion of the parents, the teacher and pupil himself, to consider the final recommendation of the counsellor after he has completed the process of data collection and counselling interview, to review the data and then to arrive at the verdict.
Often the individual cases will already be summarised by the counsellor, and the committees will ditto the same, but it remains a positive check, and provides pooled up suggestions which may shed more light on the problem. The Guidance Committee may meet for this purpose only when sufficient number of cases are ready for disposal.