Sir, – Let us not be fooled by the political rhetoric surrounding the new mental health guidelines for schools (Home News, February 1st).
The “whole school” approach to guidance has been in place in schools for a number of years. The majority of our schools have guidance plans and guidance teams, that under the co-ordination of the guidance counsellor, endeavour to work with the whole school community to provide whatever support is needed to the students.
Unfortunately this service has been severely curtailed by the removal of the guidance allocation and schools are struggling to cope. The new guidelines are merely a re-branding of what is already taking places in schools and are a cynical attempt to deflect from the fact that this Government has taken away the guidance allocation from schools and has no intention of giving it back.
The “new” guidelines will not address the difficulties that our underfunded schools are encountering daily. If the Minister for Education is genuinely concerned about supporting young people he should give back the guidance allocation to schools. The fact that he was the one who took it away in the first place would suggest that there will be no reversal.
I feel the Minister’s concern is more about saving money than helping young people. Yet again those most in need of help are the ones who will receive the least. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – Unfortunately, given the cutbacks and continual misappropriation of mental health funds, our children may have no option but to turn to unqualified but well-intentioned cleaners and maintenance men (Home News, February 1st). This new policy is called “A Vision for Short Change”. – Is mise,