Punjab to introduce statewide career counselling framework for government school students
To help students make informed decisions about higher education, skill development courses and employment opportunities after Classes 10 and 12, the Punjab Government is preparing to implement a statewide career counselling framework in government high and senior secondary schools.
The initiative aims to provide timely career guidance to students and ease their transition from education to employment. The School Education Department plans to implement the project through a hybrid model that will combine school level counselling, district level support and a centralized helpline.
Under the proposed framework, trained teachers in schools will provide primary counselling, while students requiring further guidance will be able to access face to face counselling services at the district level. In addition, a centralized career counselling helpline will be available after school hours.
The department also plans to integrate digital technology and psychometric assessments into the system to ensure students receive guidance based on their interests, aptitude and abilities. A specialized agency will be appointed to design and implement the project.
As part of the initiative, a central career counselling helpline will operate six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, between 2 pm and 8 pm. The helpline will initially be staffed by four to six qualified counsellors, with the provision to increase their number if demand rises.
Officials said the helpline would address students’ queries and refer complex cases to experts when required.
At the school level, every government school will designate at least two teachers as School Counselling Coordinators. These teachers will undergo specialised training and act as the first point of contact for students seeking career related guidance.
The appointed agency will be responsible for deploying human resources, developing the counselling framework, creating digital systems, training teachers and managing the operation of counselling services across the state.
The scheme also envisages the appointment of at least one dedicated counsellor in every district. Additionally, a reserve pool of two to three counsellors will be maintained to ensure continuity of services during periods of high demand or vacancies. District counsellors will provide direct guidance to students and undertake regular visits to schools.
To expand outreach, open counselling sessions will be organised at the district level once a week, either on Saturdays or Sundays, from 9 am to 3 pm. Counsellors will also visit schools and educational blocks according to a monthly schedule prepared for each district.
A major feature of the framework will be the introduction of psychometric assessments. These scientifically designed tests will help evaluate students’ aptitude, interests and natural strengths, enabling more personalized career guidance. The assessments will largely be conducted through digital platforms, with reports expected to be generated within seven working days.
The counselling services and assessment tools will be available in Punjabi, Gurmukhi script and English.
Officials said the entire framework would be supported by a secure digital platform that will store students’ academic records, counselling history, assessment reports and career preferences, helping create a comprehensive guidance system for government school students across Punjab.