Spiritual support

That fact further affirms the special importance of school counseling work.

In recent times, school counseling activities have had positive changes. The Ministry of Education and Training and the Department of Education and Training have paid attention to directing schools to develop plans, establish counseling teams, arrange personnel and counseling space, and implement many forms of student support.

According to the report, 100% of educational institutions have established school counseling teams, 90% have their own counseling rooms or corners. Many creative models have been implemented: Online counseling, "What I Want to Say" mailbox, talkshows on mental health, "Happy School" model, health promotion during exam season... Some schools also apply artificial intelligence in surveys, establish counseling processes according to ISO standards...

However, compared to the importance and urgency of this work, the results achieved are still modest. Not many students find effective support from the school when facing mental health problems.

The inadequate attention is clearly shown in the lack of resources, such as: job positions, funding, facilities, coordination mechanisms, etc. In particular, the lack of expertise, only having part-time staff makes psychological counseling activities in schools unprofessional and ineffective. Some places do not have separate counseling rooms, or are located in inappropriate areas.

The parallel existence of two Circulars (Circular No. 31/2017/TT-BGDDT guiding the implementation of psychological counseling for students in general schools; Circular No. 33/2018/TT-BGDDT guiding social work in schools) with overlapping scope and content also leads to overlap, causing confusion in many schools in implementation. In general, the challenge in implementing this activity at the grassroots level is the lack of suitable human resources and policy mechanisms for implementers; lack of resources and specialization.

In that context, the birth of Circular No. 18/2025/TT-BGDDT dated September 15, 2025 with important new points brings confidence in the improvement of the quality of school counseling activities. This Circular has consolidated and synchronized previous regulations, clearly defined the responsibilities of heads of educational institutions, required the arrangement of private counseling rooms, supplemented mechanisms on human resources, finance and inter-sectoral coordination.

In particular, Circular 18 emphasizes the arrangement of specialized staff to advise students, inheriting regulations on job positions, professional title standards and policies. This is an important foundation for school counseling work to gradually become more substantial, professional and sustainable.

For Circular 18 to truly come into life, there needs to be coordinated and synchronous implementation, including direction, guidance, inspection and supervision by the Ministry of Education and Training and localities; resource allocation for implementation by educational institutions; support and companionship by parents and society; and close coordination among relevant parties.

The key point is still awareness. If you don't want to, you will find an excuse; if you really want to, you will find a way. When those responsible for implementing this work truly realize the importance and urgency of this work, they will strive to find a way to turn difficulties into motivation, turn limitations into solutions, so that school counseling can be effectively and sustainably applied in life.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/diem-tua-tinh-than-post749937.html