National Guidelines for School Counsellors in Nepal (Unabridged)
Contextual Purpose: This comprehensive manual adapts international best practices into the structural realities of Nepali schools. It aims to reconcile the educational choices of young Nepalis with local, national, and global labor market demands. It proposes a minimum package of 25 learning hours of career counselling per school year to facilitate successful transitions after Basic Level (Grade 8), SEE (Grade 10), and Higher Secondary (Grade 12).
I. Legal and Policy Basis for School-Based Counselling in Nepal
| Legal and Policy Instruments | Contents Related to School-Based Counselling |
|---|---|
| Constitution of Nepal & Compulsory Education Act (2075) | Guarantees free secondary education and mandates that educational tracks equip citizens for self-reliance and employment. |
| National Curriculum Framework (NCF 2076) | Counselling services focus on individual development, social development, and navigating future job and education choices across Grades 8, 10, and 12. |
| Teacher Competency Framework (ERO 2072) | Counsellors/Focal Teachers must support personal development, help students evaluate labor market information, and make informed choices. Services include information gathering, orientation, referrals, and individual/group counselling. |
| School Education Sector Plan (SESP 2022-2032) | The duty of school counsellors is to mitigate secondary dropout rates, enhance STEM and TVET enrollment, and guide students based on aptitude tracking. |
| Local Government Operation Act (2074) | Palika-level education sections and school inspectors evaluate counselling programs, organize capacity-building meetings, and ensure school principals provide necessary coordination and space for guidance desks. |
II. Competencies of Nepali School Counsellors
- Personal: Faith, moral integrity, stable personality, and respect for individual freedom.
- Pedagogical: Understanding of learner psychology (बालमनोविज्ञान); capacity to adapt counselling to the client's psychological development; capacity to identify diverse academic options (NEB vs. CTEVT).
- Professional: Mastering personal assessments; designing and evaluating comprehensive programs; full understanding of professional ethics.
- Social: Collaborating with fellow teachers, SMC/PTA members, and inter-professional networking (e.g., Palika Employment Centers).
III. Core Ethical Principles
- Listen and respect students, believe in their dignity, and guide them toward autonomy; the goal is to help the student make their own choice, not impose a choice based on parental or school pressure.
- Inform clients of the limits of services; a school counsellor refers severe mental health issues to clinical psychologists, rather than treating them.
- Provide unbiased, accurate, up-to-date information regarding the Nepali and foreign labor markets.
- Protect the welfare of children and always act in the Best Interest of the Child.
- Actively combat discriminatory practices, particularly dismantling caste-based occupational stigmas and the gender division of labor in Nepal.
- Keep all information confidential; except when legally required or expressly allowed by the student.
- Avoid dual relationships and notify the headteacher of potential conflicts of interest.
- Do not accept personal remuneration/gifts from commercial coaching institutes or colleges for student referrals.
IV. Learning Strategy (Decision-Making Process)
The decision-making process is characterized by four main steps:
- 1. Self Awareness (आत्म-सचेतना): What do I want? What am I good at? Recognize capacities and identify wishes.
- 2. Opportunity Awareness (अवसरको पहिचान): What are the opportunities for me? Combat prejudices and explore entrepreneurship in the local economy.
- 3. Decision-Making (निर्णय प्रक्रिया): How should I make a decision? Navigating SEE, +2, and CTEVT pathways.
- 4. Transition Learning (कार्यस्थल प्रवेश): How do I implement this decision? CV writing, Lok Sewa prep, and labor rights.
Phase I: Self Awareness (Activities 1-8)
1. Knowing about yourself
Time: 2 hours (90 mins). Stages: Students draw themselves and a classmate, mark describing words on Worksheet 1B, and discuss similarities/discrepancies to process peer feedback.
2. Finding things that are important to you
Time: 1 hour (45 mins). Stages: Students use Worksheet 2 to rank core values (money, independence, societal prestige, family stability) that motivate their actions.
3. Considering your academic abilities
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Using Worksheet 3, students cross-reference actual academic grades (term exams/BLE/SEE) with favorite subjects into four quadrants to identify true competence.
4. Vocational preference types (RIASEC test)
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Students complete the RIASEC test to find their preference: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, or Conventional, matching them to Nepali careers (Table 4).
5. Working conditions that you like
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Using Worksheet 5, students prioritize top five work environments (e.g., government office vs. field work, corporate vs. NGO).
6. Family support
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Groups analyze the emotional, technical, and financial backing available from their families (assessing viability of education loans or CTEVT scholarships).
7 & 8. Freeing Decisions from Gender Prejudices
Time: 2 hours. Stages: Counsellor differentiates biological functions from societal gender roles. Students debate why certain occupations (like nursing or heavy machinery) are stereotyped in Nepal and learn to make choices regardless of these biases.
Phase II: Opportunity Awareness (Activities 9-16)
9. What is the labour market?
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Groups list local jobs across categories (Agriculture, Hospitality, Corporate, Government) and survey the 10 most wanted/unwanted jobs in school to assess risks.
10 & 11. Professional Presentations & Company Visits
Time: 4 hours total. Stages: Guest speakers from local industries and the Palika Employment Service Centre present on market trends. Students take field trips to local banks, hydro-projects, or hospitals to observe tasks.
12. My competencies as an entrepreneur
Time: 15 mins/student. Stages: Students take the entrepreneur test (12A), read "Principles of Entrepreneurship", and debate the constraints of self-employment versus public service.
13. My dream job profile
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Students present homework where they interviewed a local professional in their dream job, assessing realistic salaries and daily tasks.
14 & 15. Core Work Skills in the Labour Market
Time: 2 hours. Stages: Groups list skills necessary for all jobs and rate themselves on communication, people skills, organization, and problem-solving to identify growth areas.
16. Recognising technical skills
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Students identify specific hard technical skills required for their dream jobs and discuss where to acquire them (e.g., NSTB certification).
Phase III: Decision-Making (Activities 17-20)
17. Presentation by NEB (+2) and CTEVT Teachers
Time: 1 hour. Stages: Teachers present the differences between General Higher Secondary (Science/Management/Humanities) and CTEVT 3-Year Technical Diplomas (Engineering/Health/Agriculture).
18 & 19. Understanding Open Schooling (CEHRD)
Time: 2 hours. Stages: Counsellors dispel myths about non-formal education. Students learn that Open Basic and Secondary education diplomas carry legal equivalency for dropouts wishing to reintegrate.
20. Presentation from University Lecturers
Time: 2 hours. Stages: Lecturers detail differences between multi-disciplinary universities (TU, PU, KU) and specialized institutions, covering entry exams (CMAT, IOE, IOM) and prospects.
Phase IV: Transition Learning (Activities 21-25)
21 & 22. Finalizing Choices & Acquired Skills
Time: 2 hours. Stages: Students submit a written, tentative decision on their next education alternative. They also document informal skills gained from family farming, local businesses, or volunteering.
23 & 24. CV Writing and Mock Interviews
Time: 3 hours. Stages: Students draft a professional Nepali CV and cover letter. They hold mock HR panels practicing 59 recurrent questions (tailored to corporate, NGO, and Lok Sewa formats).
25. Understanding Contracts (Labor Act 2074)
Time: 2 hours. Stages: The counsellor teaches the importance of a legal work agreement to prevent exploitation, reviewing the Nepal Labor Act 2074 provisions (Social Security Fund, Minimum Wage, Working Hours).
Worksheets: Self & Opportunity Awareness
Worksheet 1B: Words that Describe Me
Aggressive, Creative, Mature, Natural, Responsible, On time, Careful, Smart, Friendly, Multi-talented, Low motivation, Sensitive, Attentive, Slow mover, High Competence, Stylish, Tidy, Shy, Silly, Tired, Confident, Accurate, Improper, Neat, Lazy, Bright, Brave, Motivated, Passive, Polite, Messy, Cruel.
Worksheet 2: Motivations/Values
Money, Security, Recognition from others, Caring family, Independence, Fulfilling my own goals, Doing what I enjoy on my own, Being part of a community, Stability, Excitement, Status in society, Helping others, Maintaining order and tradition, Opportunity to work as soon as possible, Just doing my job, Doing new/creative things, Achieving the highest education possible, Having decision-making power, A job is what I love doing, A job is what pays the bill, Reaching personal goals, Providing quality service, Contributing to society, Learning new things.
Worksheet 4 & Table 5: RIASEC Jobs (Nepali Context)
Realistic (R): Hands-on, practical problem solvers. Nepali Jobs: Civil Sub-Overseer, Plumber, Hydropower Technician, Truck/Tractor Driver, Commercial Farmer, Police/Army Officer, Automotive Mechanic, Surveyor.
Investigative (I): Analytical thinkers. Nepali Jobs: Public Health Researcher, Lab Technologist (CMLT), Computer Software Engineer, Pharmacist, University Lecturer, Economist.
Artistic (A): Creative, unstructured environments. Nepali Jobs: Graphic Designer, Traditional Tharu/Mithila Artist, Architect, Broadcast Journalist, Actor, Content Creator, Fashion Designer.
Social (S): Assisting, teaching, and healing. Nepali Jobs: Community School Teacher, Staff Nurse, Health Assistant (HA), Psychosocial Counsellor, Social Worker, NGO Mobilizer.
Enterprising (E): Risk-takers and leaders. Nepali Jobs: Agribusiness Entrepreneur, Tourism/Trekking Manager, Cooperative Manager, Bank Manager, Public Relations Officer, Lawyer.
Conventional (C): Structured, data-driven environments. Nepali Jobs: Chartered Accountant, Ward Administrator (Kharidar/NaSu), Tax Preparer, Dispatcher, Bank Teller.
Worksheet 12B & 12C: Entrepreneurship in Nepal
Principles (12B): In an open market, there is golden opportunity for profit and service for anyone with imagination and drive. Competition provides a better standard of living. Success requires imagination, courage, basic education, and maturity to reduce failure risks.
Advantages (12C): Personal satisfaction (doing what you want), Independence (freedom from control), Profit and income (controlling earnings), Job security (cannot be fired), Status (social rank), Flexibility (being a leader).
Constraints (12C): Possible loss of invested capital, Uncertain or low income (profits vary monthly), Long business hours (14+ hours a day, 6-7 days a week), Routine chores, Calculated Risks, Time involvement, Contact with people (customers, employees, suppliers).
Worksheets: Decision Making, Interviews & Labor Law
Worksheet 14B: 20 Core Work Skills
Transferable soft skills necessary across all Nepali industries:
- Receive and respond to workplace communication.
- Work with others: develop workplace relationships.
- Demonstrate work values and ethics.
- Practise basic housekeeping procedures.
- Participate in workplace communication: gather/interpret info.
- Work in a team environment.
- Practise career professionalism.
- Practise occupational health and safety procedures.
- Lead in workplace communication.
- Lead small teams.
- Develop and practise negotiating skills.
- Solve problems related to work activities.
- Use mathematical concepts and techniques.
- Use relevant technologies.
- Utilize specialized communication skills.
- Develop teams and individuals.
- Apply problem-solving techniques.
- Collect, analyse and organise information.
- Plan and organise work.
- Promote environmental protection.
Worksheet 24: 59 Recurrent Interview Questions
Essential questions for mock HR panels (Corporate, NGO, and Lok Sewa preparation):
- What five adjectives describe you best?
- Why should I consider you for this position?
- Why are you the best candidate for this position?
- Tell me about the one thing in your life you're proudest of.
- What qualities do you think are necessary to make a success of this job?
- Describe your ideal job.
- What kinds of work interest you the most?
- What interests you most about this position?
- Describe the most difficult problem you have had to solve. What was the situation and what did you do? Would you do anything different next time?
- In general, how do you handle conflict?
- Describe a creative solution that you have developed to solve a problem.
- What solution are you the proudest of?
- Describe a time when you had to use fact-finding skills.
- What has been your most important work-related idea?
- Who or what caused you the most trouble in implementing your ideas?
- Tell me about a situation that got out of control. How did you handle it?
- Describe the best/worst co-worker you've ever had.
- Tell me about something you achieved as a group member.
- How would you define a good working atmosphere?
- Tell me about a time you came up with a new idea. Were you able to get it approved?
- Can you think of a time an idea of yours was rejected? Tell me about it.
- Tell me about a time an idea or task of yours was criticised.
- How do you go about making important decisions?
- Tell me about the last time you made a good decision and describe the results.
- Tell me about an important judgment call you've had to make on the job.
- Describe the worst decision you ever made and how you corrected it.
- What motivates you to do your best work?
- What do you find most frustrating at work?
- Tell me about a project that got you really excited.
- How do you define doing a good job?
- What makes a job enjoyable for you?
- Under what conditions do you work best?
- What is your greatest strength/weakness or deficiency?
- What are your 5-year goals?
- What does "failure" mean to you?
- Tell me what "success" means to you.
- Do you consider yourself successful?
- Do you set goals for yourself and how do you do that?
- Tell me about a work situation you had that required excellent communication skills.
- I'm interested in hearing about the last time you took a risk. Was it the right decision?
- In what areas do you typically have the least amount of patience?
- What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
- What is the most difficult work situation you have ever faced?
- What do you do when you have a great deal of work to accomplish in a short period of time?
- What do you do when you're having trouble with a co-worker/peer?
- What was the most important project you worked on in your last job and why?
- What types of people have trouble getting along with you?
- Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?
- What kind of person do you get along with the best?
- Tell me about an occasion when, in difficult circumstances, you pulled a team together.
- What do you find most challenging about working with co-workers?
- Describe a group project you were recently involved in. How did you handle differences of opinion?
- What do you do when you know you are right and others disagree with you?
- How do you build consensus?
- How do you motivate people?
- If you are hired, what will you do in your first 45 days?
- Describe one change you made in your life that was very beneficial.
- Describe the top of your desk.
- Tell me about the last time you failed to complete a project on time.
Worksheet 25: Types of Labour Contracts (Nepal Labor Act 2074 Context)
Students must learn to identify core elements of a contract (names, titles, wages, conditions, dates, signatures) and the legal employment categories under the Labor Act 2074 (श्रम ऐन, २०७४):
- Regular Employment (नियमित रोजगार): Permanent employment without a specific time limit. Governed by a maximum 6-month probationary period.
- Fixed-Term/Time-Bound Contract (समयगत रोजगार): Signed for specific work in a fixed period. Must be in written form.
- Work-Based Contract (कार्यगत रोजगार): Employment defined by the completion of a specific project rather than time.
- Outsourcing Contracts: Where a worker provides non-core services (like security or maintenance) but is legally employed by a third-party agency. A written agreement must explicitly state this relationship to ensure the worker still receives Social Security Fund (SSF) benefits.