Emerging Challenges and Role Transitions of School Counsellors in Contemporary Indian Educational Settings.

Abstract

The mental health and psychosocial needs of children, adolescents and youth in India have become increasingly complex, creating a growing need for psychological counsellors in educational settings. Although the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and other policy frameworks emphasise the holistic development and well-being of students, the systemic implementation of school and university counselling services remains inconsistent. As a result, the counsellors often take on responsibilities beyond their defined professional roles, which may lead to role ambiguity, work overload, and work-related stress. This study aims to explore the role transitions and other emerging challenges faced by school counsellors in contemporary educational settings in India. Employing a descriptive, qualitative, and exploratory research design, data were collected through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with 27 practising school counsellors (female; M age = 30 years; M work experience = 6 years, minimum work experience = 2 years) from Mumbai and Bengaluru, India. The data was analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and key areas of concern. The findings revealed an expansion in the role of school counsellors, accompanied by increasing complexities in their responsibilities and workload. Counsellors reported difficulties in balancing student mental health needs with administrative tasks and classroom responsibilities. Furthermore, the quality and effectiveness of counselling services were adversely affected by poorly defined job roles and responsibilities, inadequate institutional support, and an inappropriate student-counsellor ratio. By documenting the evolving roles and systemic challenges faced by school counsellors in 2 metro cities in India, this study provides insights to inform policy planning and implementation, professional training, and institutional practices aimed at strengthening school-based mental health support.

Keywords: Mental Health; School Counsellor; Roles & Responsibilities; Indian Educational Settings