Meeting: Immersion in the Daily Life of School Social Workers

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 14:30, we take a closer look at the crucial work of school social workers, Manta Jumeea and Pascale Chan Shin Yu. Their essential role ensures that no child is left behind in the educational system. They strive to secure school enrollment for all children and to promptly assist those who are not yet enrolled.

Their daily tasks involve addressing complex and urgent situations. They support children struggling to adapt to school, families neglecting transfer procedures after moving, and parents who are not fully embracing their educational responsibilities. Some students are irregular attendees, while others simply dislike going to school. Each case is handled with care, recognizing the uniqueness of each child and the necessity for tailored approaches.

Collaboration with teachers is central to their work. Teachers provide valuable insights into students' behavior, performance, and family context, while social workers equip them with tools to better support children in class. After home visits, follow-ups are established to facilitate reintegration into school and help catch up on missed learning. The trust built with teachers is described as strong and constructive.

Each area of the Ministry of Education has a dedicated team of Educational Social Workers (ESWs) assigned to various primary and secondary schools, addressing a wide range of social and educational situations. They guide families to the appropriate organizations for tailored support, whether for medical, financial, or psychological assistance.

Skills

The skills required in this profession are numerous: confidentiality, discretion, non-judgmental attitudes, and the ability to handle difficult situations professionally. Advocacy for the right to education, inter-agency collaboration, and finding solutions that fit each child's needs are also vital. For Manta Jumeea and Pascale Chan Shin Yu, this profession is a calling; they chose it to serve children and families in need, helping those facing difficulties to regain their footing.

The results are often visible and encouraging.

Before joining the Ministry, ESWs already had professional experience in the social field. All possess a Bachelor of Social Work, and some have a Master’s in counseling or other academic qualifications. They have also completed numerous specialized training courses, particularly on support and children's rights.

Building trust with students takes time and requires a compassionate approach. It is essential to demonstrate to them that they can succeed, to help them express their emotions, to value them, and to support them throughout their journey. This relationship is crucial for helping them overcome obstacles.

Connection with Families

ESWs also engage with families, establishing close connections. They conduct home visits, assess needs, and guide parents to the appropriate services. Families are seen as essential partners, supported through individual and group sessions to better assist their children at home.

In cases of abuse or neglect, an investigation is initiated. Children are referred to the appropriate authorities, such as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, with follow-up ensured. When a student is in distress, intervention is immediate. Social workers identify the causes of absence or discomfort and implement an action plan involving the school, parents, and the community. If other services are involved, such as the Family Support Service, family protection brigade, National Empowerment Foundation, or medical and social services, families are directed to these agencies.

Some children are involved in drug preparation, while others consume drugs.

The results are often visible and encouraging. When all parties are involved, children return to school. Their behavior improves, they regain self-confidence, and their academic performance flourishes. ESWs also work closely with school psychologists within the Ministry. Encouragement for students comes from showing them they can succeed, helping them navigate their difficulties, allowing them to express their feelings, and adopting a holistic approach.

Challenges

Since its establishment in 2006, the ESW service has evolved in response to social changes. Challenges have multiplied: children struggling to adapt, family separations or divorces, children caught between two homes, aggressive or absent parents, and psychological distress. “Cases are more complex than before, but we do not give up. Our mission is to help the children and families entrusted to us,” says Manta Jumeea.

Among the issues, they point out that after the COVID-19 pandemic, families have faced even more challenges, such as youth drug use, early pregnancies, aggressive parents, and suicide attempts. Manta Jumeea laments that some children are exposed to drugs from a young age. “It is unfortunate to see some preparing drugs and others already consuming.” She emphasizes that behaviors observed in school, from primary to secondary levels, often reflect those experienced at home or in society, affecting all regions.

Mission

In light of this reality, urgent needs arise: recruiting more staff, supporting educators, strengthening specialized services in schools, educating parents, enforcing the compulsory education law up to age 16, and training ESWs on new social challenges.

Today, the Ministry has 21 Educational Social Workers and four Senior ESWs across the country's four zones. They intervene whenever a child is absent or facing social problems. Their conviction: seeing a child succeed brings immense gratification, a sense of achievement, and personal satisfaction.