ACTIVITIES OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELING CENTER FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY AND LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS

The aim of this paper is to introduce and describe the main function of the school counseling center, particularly its specialized workers in the position of school psychologist, special educator, and social educator. School counseling centers have been established in every primary and lower secondary school in order to provide professional support to teachers, pupils, and their parents. The aim of the research was to find out how and in what way pupils perceive this support. The research was carried out at five primary and lower secondary schools where a school psychologist, special educator, and social educator are part of the school counseling center. The presented paper is based on partial results of research carried out within the GAJU project 117/2019/S School - a threat or a chance for vulnerable individuals? The results of the poll, in which pupils from the 4th to 9th grades (n = 722) participated, provide answers to the following questions: what support do pupils expect from a school psychologist, what support do they expect from a special educator, and what support do they expect from a social educator. Another question was: who would they contact in case of problems? The results show that the pupils are best acquainted with the activities of the school psychologist, and they know what problems they can turn to him/her with.