At Ngo Van So Secondary School in Quy Nhon Ward, Gia Lai Province, counseling programmes introduced in 2019 provide students with a safe space to discuss academic and emotional concerns.
The school’s counseling team, supported by psychology students from Quy Nhon University, handles issues ranging from study stress to adolescent development challenges.
The initiative combines awareness campaigns, individual counseling and positive discipline measures. Students who breach school rules are guided to reflect through reading activities rather than punitive measures. Counseling content is also integrated into homeroom sessions and experiential learning, allowing students to access support in a more approachable way.
“I used to have conflicts with my mother about studying and felt under pressure”, said Tran Nguyen Nhu Y, a ninth-grade student. “With guidance from teachers, I learned to understand myself and adjust my behavior”.
According to Vice Principal Do Van Hien, who leads the counseling team, the school handles two to three cases daily, mostly involving younger students struggling with emotional development or peer relationships. Counseling helps students adapt, manage emotions and refocus on their studies.
At Trung Vuong High School, counseling services have been in place since 2018, involving teachers, administrators, youth union officials and medical staff. Support is delivered through group sessions, one-on-one meetings and confidential channels such as phone lines and suggestion boxes.
Nguyen Thi Man, the school’s Vice Principal, said students are often reluctant to seek help, prompting closer coordination between schools, families and students. Effective counselors must combine psychological knowledge with empathy, patience and strong communication skills, she added.
The results have been significant: students have overcome psychological crises, returned to school after considering dropping out, and incidents of school violence have been eliminated.
At Duc Co Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary School, counseling is paired with practical education on topics such as sex education, early marriage prevention and violence awareness. The approach is tailored to ethnic minority students to improve engagement and life skills.
Pham Van Nam, Director of the Department of Education and Training, said students today face mounting psychological challenges driven by exam pressure, social conflicts, online influences and adolescent changes.
In response, education authorities have expanded training for teachers and administrators, promoted life skills education and encouraged schools to build safer, more supportive environments.
The department has also instructed schools to strengthen cooperation with families and social organisations, develop structured counseling plans and equip students with skills such as emotional regulation, communication and safe social media use.
These efforts aim to foster healthier behavior and support students’ overall development in an increasingly complex social environment, officials said.