OECS Inclusive Education Programme Celebrates the Successful Conclusion of the 2nd Annual Meeting of OECS School Counselling Coordinators

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Inclusive Education Programme funded by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Saint Lucia successfully hosted the 2^nd Annual Meeting of OECS School Guidance Coordinators under the theme “Nurturing Child-Centred Guidance in a Post-Covid-19 Era”.

Held on March 4 to 5, 2025, at the Bel Jou Hotel in Saint Lucia, the timely meeting brought together School Counseling Coordinators from eight OECS Member States, representatives from the OECS Commission and UNICEF, along with experts in education, child protection, psychology and school nutrition. 

The second annual meeting centred on the critical role of the school counsellors and coordinators in facilitating interventions that develop social and community-based relationships with teachers, parents, and students. The conference sessions featured:

In her welcome remarks for the event, the Chief Education Officer, Beverley Dieudonne in the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training in Saint Lucia underscored the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for comprehensive support systems that foster resilience, promote self-expression, and enhance mental well-being.

The Head of the Human and Social Division, OECS Commission, Mrs. Sisera Simon, reinforced her comments, highlighting the significance of socio-economic and socio-emotional well-being in children also stressing the necessity of prioritising these elements in schooling. She reaffirmed the OECS Commission's commitment to establishing a system that fosters academic achievement and promotes the mental, emotional, and social well-being of every student. Mrs. Simon also affirmed that the OECS Commission, through the Education Development Management Unit (EDMU), remains committed to strengthening the pastoral care of all students by providing the requisite support to school counsellors and counselling coordinators in the region.

Guest speaker Dr. Aretha Cooper, a psychologist of over 20 years, unpacked the theme of nurturing child-centred guidance in a post-COVID-19 era and stressed,

“In an era of rapid technological advancement, children’s parents and teachers may feel that technological takeover is inevitable and beyond their control. However, we must remember our humanity and recognise that we have a voice and choice. The choice we must continually make is to prioritise the social and emotional well-being of children and adolescents so that their development is not derailed by depriving them of the necessary face-to-face social interaction/interactions that build healthy brains, nurture their sense of self and build resilience in an incredibly fragile, social and economic global environment.

In his dynamic presentation to the counselling coordinators, Mr. Bertrand Moses, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF ECA, emphasised the importance of mental health and psychosocial support as a core priority for UNICEF and the UN, in alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Interagency Standing Committee standards. To address these needs, UNICEF has launched several initiatives in the region, including the "I Support My Friends" peer support training program, which empowers children and adolescents to assist friends in distress; the "Young Caribbean Minds Toolkit", providing mental health resources for parents and children; the "Caring for the Caregivers" program, focused on supporting parents and caregivers; and the "You Matter" mental health chat line which offer confidential support for students. These programmes collectively aim to strengthen mental health support across the Caribbean, ensuring well-being for children, adolescents, and families.

The regional counselling coordinators candidly examined and discussed the job description of school counsellors and agreed to advocate for changing the nomenclature of School Guidance Counsellors to School Counsellors across the OECS region.

This regional meeting reinforced the OECS Commission's unwavering commitment to the well-being of every learner, as outlined in the vision of the OECS Education Sector Strategy: Every Learner Succeeds. The insights and strategies shared during the meeting will play a crucial role in enhancing mental health and support services across the region, ensuring that all children and adolescents receive the care they need to thrive. This ongoing collaboration highlights the OECS’s dedication to prioritizing mental health in education, ​ and helping to build a brighter future for every learner in the OECS.