The government has decided to appoint counsellors or clinical psychologists in all the educational institutions in the country, says Education Minister Dipu Moni.
Speaking at a discussion organised by Bangladesh Education Reporters' Forum in Dhaka on Thursday (Jan 16), she said they initially aims to appoint a male and female counsellor in every district and Upazila.
"Gradually it will be increased to two counsellors at every educational institution," said Dipu Moni before adding the government will arrange training for teachers for counselling students.
Despite many achievements, the challenge for the government now is ensuring quality education, according the minister.
"Quality education ensures a student not only good grades but also that he becomes a good citizen and [mental] health is key factor for it," she said.
The education minister remarks come after the High Court issued a rule last week asking the government why it should not be ordered to appoint counsellors or clinical psychologists in educational institutions.
University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman and secretaries to the ministries of education, public administration, health and primary and mass education, and director general of Directorate of Education have been ordered to respond to the rule.
The order came after a Supreme Court lawyer moved the court with a petition.
It argued that it was the state’s responsibility to adopt effective measures to ensure education and health care for the citizens. However, drug abuse, suicide attempts, sexual harassment have increased alarmingly.
It cited the Constitution's Section 15 (as) says, “it shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to attain, through planned economic growth, a constant increase of productive forces and a steady improvement in the material and cultural standard of living of the people, with a view to securing to its citizens -the provision of the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care,” while section 32 provisions that “no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.”