Mapping out the potential role for Sri Lankan school counselor: An exploratory study

Globally, school counseling programs vary in format and the extent to which they are implemented (Gysbers, Lapan, & Blair, 1999). Reviewed comprehensive school counseling programs, seemed to map out a holistic role for the school counselors. Hence, while emphasizing the significance of school counselors’ time direct services to students with a broader perspective they also seem to recommend reaching out to the support communities of the students as well as services such as advocacy and research. Following this global tradition, the article evaluates the present role of the Sri Lankan school counselor based on global as well as local parameters and outlines potential role of school counselors for the future based on the needs of the Sri Lankan students and their support communities such as teachers, school administrators, parents and the community at large. The article also provides suggestions and recommendations to the policy makers, teacher educators and school counselors in the Sri Lankan milieu.