I strongly believe that offering counselling is an important part of a teacher’s role. Teachers often understand their students very well because they spend several hours with them every day, sometimes even more time than the students spend with their families. In my context, many students live on campus, so teachers see them regularly and build strong relationships with them.

Because of this, it is important for teachers to listen carefully and give attention to their students. I understand that teachers cannot solve all of their students’ problems, but active listening alone can make a big difference. Sometimes, people do not need advice or solutions. They simply need someone to listen to them and understand their feelings. Students often trust their teachers because they see them as role models.

At the same time, I believe schools should also have a professional counsellor. Teachers already have many responsibilities, such as planning lessons, teaching, observing students, and grading work. Because of this workload, it is not always possible to give each student the time and support they may need.

A professional counsellor would be better equipped to support students emotionally. Counsellors are trained to handle sensitive situations and understand how to guide students in a safe and appropriate way. As teachers, we sometimes have the habit of giving advice too quickly. When students open up, we may focus on solutions instead of simply listening, which is not always what they need.

For this reason, I believe a balanced approach is best: teachers provide daily support and build trust, while counsellors offer deeper, professional emotional support when needed.