GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ECONOMICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
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GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ECONOMICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the influence of guidance and counselling services on academic achievement in Economics among secondary school students. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, the study sampled 399 respondents from a population of 66,164 using the Taro Yamen formula and simple random sampling technique.
Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Guidance and Counselling Services and Career Choice/Academic Achievement Questionnaire (GCSCCAAQ),” which featured a four-point rating scale to gather information from respondents.
The instrument was validated for content and face validity by experts in Guidance and Counselling and Educational Measurement and Evaluation, and it achieved a reliability coefficient of 0.74 using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation.
Means and Standard Deviations were employed to address the research questions, while z-test statistics were used to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level.
The findings indicated no significant difference in students’ opinions regarding the influence of educational, vocational, and personal social counselling services on their career choices and academic achievement.
The study concluded that guidance and counselling services effectively assist students in aligning their abilities, interests, and values, thereby supporting their academic and career development.
The study recommends that schools should be adequately staffed with trained counsellors to provide comprehensive guidance and support, helping students to achieve their career goals and academic success.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Secondary school education serves as a crucial phase for acquiring knowledge and preparing students for higher education and future careers. Melvin (2015) highlights that this stage of education is instrumental in shaping students’ future pathways.
According to Schwarzeller (2016), schools provide essential opportunities for personal growth and skill development. In Nigeria, educational reforms have consistently emphasized the importance of secondary schools as a platform for skill acquisition and vocational prospects (Ezekwesili, 2006).
This educational level is seen as a pivotal period for equipping students with practical knowledge and experiences that will benefit them in their future careers.
Individual differences such as growth rates, intellect, and gender significantly impact students’ career orientations and decisions (Kutara, 2017). Factors including parental expectations, potential salaries, societal prestige, and personal interests influence students’ career choices (Olawanle & Obayemi, 2010).
Despite these influences, many students nearing graduation make unrealistic career choices due to a lack of comprehensive understanding of various career opportunities and their requirements (Issa & Nwalo, 2008).
Career choice encompasses a broad range of roles and occupations that individuals may pursue throughout their lives (Gonzalez, 2012). It includes the various jobs and positions that one might hold and the potential for advancement within these roles (Seligman, 2010).
Historically, career choices were less complex due to fewer job opportunities and a more straightforward understanding of career paths. Today, however, secondary school students face a more intricate landscape of career options and requirements, necessitating better guidance and counseling (Issa & Nwalo, 2008).
Guidance and Counseling Services
Counseling involves providing professional advice to help individuals resolve personal, social, or psychological issues. It is a collaborative process aimed at helping clients gain insight into their problems and develop effective solutions.
The primary goal of guidance and counseling services in schools is to support students’ academic, social, emotional, and personal development (Nikweze, 2005).
These services enable students to explore their feelings and life aspects in a confidential environment, which may not be possible with family or friends due to emotional biases (Navin, 2009).
Effective counseling should reduce clients’ confusion, enabling them to make informed decisions and achieve positive behavioral changes. Key skills for counselors include good communication, empathy, and the ability to build rapport without becoming emotionally involved (Mashige & Oduntan, 2011).
Educational counseling helps students understand the value of education, explore various courses, and address academic, emotional, or social concerns. It supports students in making informed decisions about their academic and career paths (Egbochukwu, 1997).
Vocational counseling focuses on helping individuals develop the skills needed for productive work, particularly for those with physical or cognitive impairments. It guides clients in choosing suitable professions and preparing for their careers (Seligman, 2010).
Personal social counseling, or psychotherapy, addresses individual concerns in a confidential setting, helping clients work through their immediate or future issues (Issa & Nwalo, 2008).
Academic Achievement
Academic achievement refers to the extent to which students, teachers, or institutions meet their educational goals. It is commonly assessed through examinations or continuous assessments, though there is no consensus on the best evaluation methods (Ipaye, 2004).
Factors influencing academic achievement include test anxiety, environment, motivation, and emotions. Individual differences such as intelligence and personality traits like conscientiousness are linked to academic success (Anyanwu, 2009). Recent research suggests that mental curiosity, alongside intelligence and conscientiousness, plays a significant role in academic achievement.
This study aims to explore the impact of guidance and counseling services on students’ academic achievement, specifically in Economics, and to understand how these services influence career choices and overall academic success.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Secondary school education represents a crucial period for students to make informed career choices and lay a solid foundation for their future academic and professional pursuits.
The transition from secondary to tertiary education often hinges on the career decisions made during this stage, making it essential for students to choose paths that align with their interests, abilities, and long-term goals.
However, many students at this level struggle with making appropriate career choices. They frequently select career paths without fully considering their personal interests, job satisfaction, or their ability to handle the demands of the chosen profession.
Despite the presence of guidance and counseling services in secondary schools, issues persist. Many students continue to drop out of school, exhibit a lack of commitment to their studies, and engage in problematic behaviors such as drug abuse and juvenile delinquency. These concerns highlight a potential gap in the effectiveness of existing guidance and counseling services.
This study seeks to address the problem of suboptimal career choices and their impact on students’ academic achievement. It aims to investigate whether guidance and counseling services in secondary schools effectively assist students in making informed career decisions and enhancing their academic performance.
The researcher is motivated by observations that, despite available counseling services, many students still face significant challenges. The study will explore the extent to which these services influence career choices and academic success, and whether they fulfill their intended purpose of supporting students in understanding and overcoming their academic and personal difficulties.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate several key aspects related to guidance and counseling services in secondary schools:
- Impact of Guidance and Counseling Services: To assess how guidance and counseling services in selected secondary schools affect students’ career choices and academic achievement.
- Problems Affecting Guidance and Counseling Services: To identify the challenges and issues impacting the effectiveness of guidance and counseling services in secondary schools.
- Students’ Attitudes Towards Guidance Counselors: To examine students’ perceptions and attitudes toward their guidance counselors and how these attitudes influence their engagement with counseling services.
- Parents’ Attitudes Towards Children’s Career Choices: To explore the attitudes of parents regarding their children’s career choices and how these attitudes may affect students’ career decisions and academic performance.
- 1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions will guide this study:
- Does the socio-economic background of parents sometimes lead them to impose career choice pressures on their children at an early age?
- Do peer groups influence students’ attitudes towards their studies, leading to a nonchalant approach to academic work?
- What is the nature of the relationship between students and their guidance and counseling teachers?
- What is the extent of students’ exposure to guidance and counseling services in selected secondary schools?
- 1.5 Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework for this study is grounded in the counseling process as outlined by scholars such as Nwoje (1987), Peterson and Nisenholz (1991), and Okobiah (1992). The counseling process, as detailed by Okobiah, consists of four key stages:
- Interviewing Stage:
- Description: Also known as the familiarization, orientation, or introductory stage, this is where the counselor and client first meet. The counselor gathers information about the client, including their name, class, family background, social relationships, academic progress, and the purpose of the visit to the counselor’s office.
- Working Stage:
- Description: In this stage, the counselor engages the client in a detailed discussion to understand the issues and explore possible solutions. Various techniques and methods are used to diagnose and address the client’s problems effectively.
- Termination Stage:
- Description: This stage involves ending the counseling relationship. Termination may occur for several reasons, such as achieving the counseling goals, the client’s uncooperative attitude, a decision by the client to discontinue, referral to a specialist, or the death of either the counselor or client.
- Follow-up Stage:
- Description: After termination, the counselor checks in with the client to assess progress and ensure that the client continues to benefit from the counseling services.
These stages are crucial in understanding how counselors address and resolve client issues. They provide a structured approach to counseling, ensuring that problems are thoroughly explored and effectively managed.
This framework will guide the researcher in evaluating how guidance and counseling services impact students’ career choices and academic achievement.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study holds substantial significance for students, teachers, parents, and society as a whole:
- For Students:
- Benefits: Students will gain from effective guidance and counseling services by better understanding their personal, social, and academic challenges and learning how to address them. This support will help them make informed career choices and achieve their academic goals, potentially leading to improved academic performance and reduced incidence of school dropout.
- For Teachers:
- Benefits: If the study highlights the importance of proper funding and management of guidance and counseling programs, it may lead to increased support for these initiatives. Improved resources and training for teachers could enhance their effectiveness in both teaching and counseling roles. This would likely result in better student outcomes and more effective educational practices.
- For Parents:
- Benefits: Parents will benefit from a better understanding of the role of guidance and counseling in their children’s education and career choices. This knowledge can help them support their children more effectively and make informed decisions about their future. The study may also provide insights into how parental involvement and attitudes influence career choices.
- For Society:
- Benefits: The broader society will benefit from the development of well-rounded, competent, and responsible individuals. Effective guidance and counseling can lead to reduced drug abuse, improved career choices, and overall positive behavioral changes. As students become more engaged and successful, they contribute positively to the community, leading to a more educated and productive society.
Overall, the study aims to enhance the understanding and implementation of guidance and counseling services, ensuring that they play a crucial role in shaping the educational and career paths of students, thereby benefiting individuals and society at large.
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- Interviewing Stage: