Senators suggest use of psychologists to look into school dropout

Senators have made reference to situations in some countries where psychologists are employed in schools to provide support to students’ ability to learn and suggested that Rwanda should adopt the same policy as it is likely to address the increasing number of school dropouts. Senators also say that psychologists are able to apply expertise in mental health, learning and behavior change to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. During one of the senatorial sessions held this week, senators sought to address the causes of school dropouts, following a report about interventions meant to tackle school dropout in 12 years basic presented by its Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights. Senator Prof Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu stated that the adoption of professional school psychologists as a member of school staff to help students with their academic and social issues can be a strategy to avert school dropouts in Rwanda. “Students who have issues that lead to dropping out of school should be helped primarily by the school staff, said Dusingizemungu. He added: “There are some countries where school psychologists are members of multidisciplinary teams that serve the school and help students to overcome their academic or social life difficulties. Teachers may sometimes be overwhelmed by delivering lectures, it won’t be easy for them to notice students who are struggling. School psychologists should be adopted as a specific post” ALSO READ: Trauma: Clinical psychologist on the essence of helping society heal According to the National Coordinator Rwanda Education for All Coalition (REFAC), Benson Rukabu urged that not only school psychologists' adoption needed to tackle dropouts, but even villages education counselors might also help to advise children who abandoned school and parents forcing their kids out of school by laboring them. “I think school psychologists can help students present in schools, but what about those who do not attend school? Or parents violating their children’s right to education, we even need education counselors in villages who are familiar with the community and have information about every family in the area with such problems and ensure that children’s education is not disrupted by undesirable situations,” he said School psychologists collaborate with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community. According to data from the 2020-2021 statistics yearbook, which the Ministry of Education issued in February 2022, the percentage of primary school dropouts grew from 7.8 per cent in 2019 to 9.5 percent in 2020-2021. According to the same yearbook, the percentage of secondary school dropouts increased from 8.2% in 2019 to 10.3% in 2020/21.

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Senators suggest use of psychologists to look into school dropout