The role of guidance and counselling in shaping the behaviours of learners in secondary schools in Kole District : a case of government-aided schools.

Abstract

Background: The study examined the role of guidance and counselling in shaping the behaviours of learners in secondary schools in Kole District owing to the fact that there is currently limited empirical data on the two study variables. The study was set to examine the role of educational guidance and counselling; to assess the role of vocational guidance; and to examine the role of personal guidance and counselling in shaping behaviours of learners. Conducted in the months of May, June and July 2023, the study is expected to contribute to the empirical information on the study variables. Guided by the robust model of moral realism and the behavioral change theories, Methods: The study used a cross sectional design and adopted a mixed method where 88 respondents were sampled using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Qualitative data was collected using interview guide and focused group discussion while, Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires which yielded a 93.1% response rate and was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Findings: The results indicate that the correlations between bahaviours of learners and educational guidance and counselling is positive, very strong and significant at 0.05 level; vocational guidance and counselling is positive, substantial and significant at 0.05 level; and personal guidance and counselling is positive, strong and significant at 0.05% level. The qualitative findings established that education guidance and counselling is significant in improving the concentration of learners in academic disciplines, vocational guidance and counselling is significant in enhancing career choices for learners in secondary schools and personal guidance is significant in solving some of the social and economic challenges among learners in secondary schools. Conclusions: The study concludes that educational guidance and counselling plays a significant role in shaping the behaviours of learners; vocational guidance and counselling plays a moderate role in shaping the behaviors of learners; and personal guidance and counselling plays a significant role in shaping the behaviours of secondary school learners in the study area. Recommendations: The study recommends that stakeholders in secondary schools should consider having a standard package for educational guidance and counselling; provide standard and a pre-determined packages to aid staff who are involved in offering vocational guidance and counselling; and improvise a platform upon which learners can highlight or present their social, economic and personal challenges. Future research can be considered on the factors that are limiting the successful implementation of guidance and counselling in secondary schools. Keywords: Guidance and Counselling, Behaviour of learners, Secondary Schools, Kole District, Government-aided Schools.