Editor's Review

Dr. Abdi cited drugs and substance abuse and radicalization as some of the factors affected students' focus.

The Ministry of Education has launched a Guidance and Counselling Policy for schools.

The aim of the policy is to facilitate learning for students protect themselves from distractions that affect their behavior and school attendance. 

The Director General for the Ministry of Education, Dr. Elyas Abdi mentioned that the policy would help teachers and other stakeholders to guide learners on risky behavior that may hurt their studies and growth and development.

He cited drugs and substance abuse and radicalization as some of the factors affected students' focus.

Dr. Abdi pointed out that students need protection against the negative influences through a robust guidance and counselling framework at the school levels.

The Director General for the Ministry of Education, Dr. Elyas Abdi 

"Schools should be able to open lines of communication between the administration and the students for the students to feel free to share their problems with teachers in charge of guidance and counselling services in the schools," Dr. Abdi said. 

Dr. Abdi, however, said there was need to establish systems to take care of the psychological needs of teachers, saying they too faced personal challenges which need institutional care in order for them to work more effectively.