Counsellors perceived factors militating against establishment of effective guidance and counselling services in primary schools

Abstract

This study determines the problems hindering the effective establishment of guidance and counselling in primary schools. The study adopted a descriptive survey design method. Two research question guided the study. A sample size of 103 counsellors are used for the study selected through simple random sampling technique with replacement during their meeting days in their various zones. The instrument for data collection is titled ‘perceived problems hindering effective establishment of guidance and counselling services in primary schools in Anambra state questionnaire (PPHEEOGACSIPSIASQ)’. The reliability co-efficient value of the instrument of 0.80 is established through the use of Split half method of estimation. On the sport method of administration of the instrument on the respondents is used by the researchers for the study to ensure a hundred percent return of the questionnaire. Arithmetic weighted mean which criterion is 2.50 for any item considered as a factor while an item that is below this value is considered not being a factor is used for the data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that orientation, placement, information, counselling, appraisal, referral and follow-up services are counselling services meant for primary school pupils. The study also revealed among other things that lack of funds for counselling programmes, guidance and counselling teachers’ rivalry, unsupportive attitudes of head-teachers and non-inclusion of counselling in school time table are among the problems hindering the effective establishment of guidance and counselling in primary schools. Among other things, the researchers recommended that Government will release a clear schedule of duty that will clearly stipulates the functions of a counsellor in the school system for the school heads to know and allow counsellors to do their work and also, that at the beginning of each educational session, government should be integrating the funds needed for funding guidance and counselling programmes in schools budget before releasing money to schools and clearly instruct the bursars to release such funds whenever it is needed by the counsellors.