Role of school counselors in enhancing child protection in Sri Lankan government schools

Background: Child protection is regarded as a major concern in Sri Lankan government schools and school counsellors play a crucial role in protecting students against abuse, neglect, and other forms of harm as the first point of contact for at-risk students. The effectiveness of child protection measures is frequently impeded by insufficient resources and training. This study examined how school counselors might enhance child protection initiatives by analyzing their responsibilities. Method: A qualitative research methodology was employed, incorporating semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of ten participants, comprising two principals, two teachers, and six school counselors, drawn from five selected government schools in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The study also retrieved present Ministry of Education-provided child protection policies and mechanisms. Common themes and trends on the counsellors' responsibilities, approaches, and challenges in child protection were found by means of thematic analysis. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: The findings of the study revealed that school counselors are crucial in identifying and handling child protection issues and have important responsibilities including psychological support, application of preventative policies, and facilitation of communication between parent, teacher, and social services. However, counsellors have great difficulties including poor resources, insufficient specialized training, and cultural challenges limiting their capacity to completely carry out child protection programs. Conclusion: To improve child protection initiatives, the study recommends raising financial allocations, strengthening cooperation among schools, social organizations, and communities, as well as counsellor training. These findings enhance the limited research on child protection within the Sri Lankan context and suggest implementable methods to foster safer, more supportive educational settings.