BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

TEACHERS from the Central Melaka Council of Guidance and Counselling (MGBKDMT) paid a visit to the Public Service Department’s Counselling Service Division here yesterday.

The visit aimed to familiarise the counselling teachers on the standard practices of the Counselling Services Division of Brunei.

Chairman of MGBKDMT Chan Chin Ho from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Paya Rumput, Melaka said counselling methods of both countries were similar.

“This is because counselling officers from Brunei also go to Malaysia to gain information on counselling. Basically everything is similar except in terms of diversity and issues in Malaysia which are more challenging.

“Today, we learned how the Counselling Service Division handles procedures and how they handle different cases.

“This is very good because we deal with students in Malaysia and we will apply the relevant knowledge from today’s visit in Malaysia,” he added.

He said the visit can promote counselling in Brunei because counselling has been around longer in Malaysia. Arriving on May 31, the delegation first visited Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and took the opportunity to share their knowledge on counselling with the diploma students.

“This visit also allowed us to share our counselling knowledge, skills and techniques with officers from ministries and departments here.

“I hope this programme will provide a lot of information for our counselling teachers to strengthen the counselling services in our country as well,” Chan added.

Amatha Muthaiah, a guidance and counselling teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Baru Melaka, said counselling is essential for the country.

“Counselling can help develop an individual to understand themselves first. Personally counselling helped me understand who I am, upgrade myself and my progress.

“When I can understand myself I have growth in me. When I’m happy I can help my surroundings which is at first my family.

“If your family is healthy you are helping the country. Your community comes first, then your country,” Amatha said.

The delegation was briefed on the roles and responsibilities of the Counselling Services Division by Senior Counsellor Officer Noresamsiah Hj Mohammad Hussin. The topics included referral procedures, programmes under the Counselling Services Division and counselling issues.

The delegation also visited the Career and Counselling Unit at the Ministry of Education.

The Brunei Times