Assessment of Guidance and Counselling Services in Selected Public Secondary Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was an assessment of the availability, impacts and challenges of guidance and counselling services in selected public secondary schools in Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population were Teachers and students (JSS2 and SS2) in the Public secondary schools of Ogun West Senatorial District. A total of 400 respondents with 100 teachers and 300 students were selected by using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected by two researcher-designed instruments, Guidance and Counselling Services Students Scale (GCSSS) and Guidance and Counselling Services Teachers Scale (GCSTS). The instruments were validated by experts in Guidance and Counselling and Educational Measurement and Evaluation, and were found to have reliability coefficients of 0.82 and 0.79, respectively, by applying the Cronbach's Alpha method. The data obtained was analyzed descriptively using frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results indicated that the majority of the guidance and counselling services were given in schools and vocational information and career awareness programmes had the highest mean score (Mean = 3.20), while orientation programme for new students had a low mean score (Mean = 2.49). The study also revealed that guidance and counselling services had a positive influence on academic and personal development of students, with the highest mean score on academic development (Mean = 3.27), while the lowest mean score was on personal development, which is on improvement in self-confidence and self-esteem (Mean = 2.43). Major challenges found were that students were not always utilising counselling services (Mean = 3.08), counsellor training opportunities were limited (Mean = 3.06), and privacy/confidentiality was not always maintained (Mean = 2.96). The study found that guidance and counselling services have great impact on students development despite a number of challenges facing the effectiveness of these services in the institution and the profession