Educational guidance and counseling services are provided at primary and secondary schools throughout The Bahamas. These services are offered by the Guidance and Counseling Unit of Ministry Education with the aim of increasing student success by providing support through:

• Counseling and specialised intervention strategies for all students  
• Specialised services for students with moderate or severe special educational needs
• Social work services for students with psychosocial and behavioural difficulties\
• Early intervention, diagnosis and remediation

Guidance and counseling services include counseling, referral, parent/guardian education, psychological skills development, crisis management and intervention, and community outreach and linkage.

Eligibility

All students, parents, guardians or family members connected to the success of the student.

Process

1. Any teacher, student, parent, guardian or family member can visit the guidance counsellor in the school.
2. The Guidance Counselor will assess the case of the student and employ preventative, intervention and after crisis counseling on academic, personal/social and career matters.
3. Students whose needs are beyond the scope of the Guidance and Counseling Unit are referred to the relevant agencies for further assistance.

Application Form(s)

For Self Referral no form is necessary. However, if referred by a teacher/administrator then a Teacher Referral forms required.  

Supporting Documents

No supporting documentation is needed.

Turn-around time

Guidance and counseling sessions vary from case to case and can span a period of four to six weeks for completion of counseling. Please note that based on the nature of the case, an immediate referral may be necessary.

Deadline

There are no deadlines for this service.

Related Fee(s)

There are no fees associated with this service.

For more information please contact

Ministry of Education