Counselors are needed

Previously Published in THE GOAN EVERYDAY

Am not sure if the powers that be in the Church hierarchy read my last column "The Church and me", but the fact that the Secretary of the Diocesan Society Education (DSE) when speaking about the lack of counselors to the media on behalf of the Archdiocese Board of Education (ABE) highlighted an issue in public and now it can be debated and solutions worked out.

The DSE Secretary said there was a need for 220 counselors, the Government has provided a few but he is not interested in them because they were appointed by the Government and hence he has no control over them. The other statement he makes is, it costs Rs 22000 per counselor per month and so he wishes the Government allow the DSE to appoint but the payment must be made by the Government. He also admits that counselors are required for better guidance to kids.

As Chairman of the Education Committee of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), I was privileged to address the managers of DSE schools a few years back. The message was simple. The basics of elementary educational concepts have remained the same. What has changed is the fact that imparting education has now become more professional. So it is imperative that teacher training be an important aspect of the DSE's role as they manage a huge number of schools in Goa. The other aspect was that if a Parish priest was being transferred to a Parish with a school attached and hence defacto manager or principal he should be a suitably trained.

The then and now Secretary, Fr. Zeferine pooh poohed the suggestion. He believed that since priests study theology and philosophy they do not need further training. The Archbishop who was present tried to explain the statement as meaning, it becomes easy to understand. I did not agree then and still do not. The statement made then and the press statement on counselors proves the point that it is either ignorance or incompetence, both undesirable when heading such an important organisation.

Had he been a student of management, he would have clearly recognised what is today know as “dotted line” reporting. Most large organisations, use this concept today. The employee would be assigned to a factory in Bangalore and looks after the quality function. Operationally, the factory head is his Boss, from whom he takes day to day instructions. But his dotted line reporting will connect him to the Quality Director, who may be sitting in Japan, heading the Quality function for the group. There is no issue or ambiguity here. In case the employee has a problem, his Local Head will speak to the quality head in Japan, sort out and the employee will be given a clarification.

In the case of the counselors the dotted line reporting would be to someone sitting in the education department. This would be for matters relating to salary, leave, promotion transfer, service conditions etc. The Principal of the institute where the counselor is assigned would give operational instructions, attendance, where to sit, which students to attend to etc. In case of doubt, the management of the school and education department sit across and trash out the issues as there are bound to be some as with any new initiative.

Today, kids need such interventions, they need trained people to be around as parents are either abroad or out working or just not able to see the signs of issues the child may be facing. Early intervention can and will possibly nip the problem in the bud. The DSE has realised that having counselors would be a good idea should they lob the ball into the Government's court and raise their hands. The Government of today is financially constrained. That did not stop the CM from gifting himself a new SUV, on his birthday. Knowing a bankrupt Government cannot hire the counselors, should the DSE not take steps to do something about the situation, so that the kids our benefited?

The Archdiocese has built a huge retreat center, in Old Goa. It will surely benefit the faithful. Was funds or lack of them a criteria? The Archdiocese issued a dikat to every parish based on size, a target was given, the money collected and the retreat center is a reality. Knowing the importance, the DSE could have raised money and hired a few counselors as you will not get 220 in a day. We are not yet getting into how the number 220 has been arrived at, if it is one per school, it is too simplistic. Based on the experience with these few more can be hired subsequently, if available. The few can be moved around the schools attending to more needy cases. The laity can crowd fund the counselor project.

First there has to be a will, then the way can be found. The DSE needs to focus on real issues and delivery of better quality to students. Papa Francis has said that the Church needs to reconsider it long standing leaders, the recent events at the DSE shows that change is needed and quickly. Is the hierarchy willing to hear the call of Papa Francis?