PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TOWARDS GUIDANCEAND COUNSELLING SERVICES IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONGATA RONGAI AND NGONG ZONES OF KAJIADO NORTH DISTRICT, KAJIADO COUNTY-KENYA

Abstract

This study’s aim and focus was to establish the perceptions of students and teachers towards guidance and counselling services in secondary schools in Ngong and Ongata Rongai Zones. The study was guided by the fact that right or wrong perceptions of students and teachers towards the guidance and counselling services determine whether these services are sought for voluntarily. After reviewing related literature on guidance and counselling, it was established that there was limited research on the same. Besides, it was also found out that majority of the researchers employed the use of questionnaires only in the collection of data which do not gather in-depth information. Cross-sectional survey research design was used to carry out the study. Through simple random sampling and stratified random sampling, six schools out of the twelve public secondary schools were sampled for the study. The sample comprised of 150 respondents comprising of 120 students, 24 teachers and 6 principals. The study used questionnaires and interview schedules to assess the students’ and teachers’ perceptions towards guidance and counselling services. Data were summarized using means, frequencies, percentages, descriptions and correlations. Qualitative data were transcribed then organised into themes, after which it was reported verbatim. Independent t-test statistics were done and they revealed that teachers and students have wrong perceptions towards guidance and counselling services. There was also a relationship between the perception of students and teachers and the effectiveness of the guidance and counselling services, p-value at 0.05. The findings also showed that lack of trained teacher counsellors and facilities results to teachers not being confidential and lack the knowledge and skills required to guide and counsel students. The study recommended that teacher counsellors should embrace the use of peer counsellors, sensitize students on the importance of guidance and counselling services and be friendly to students. Also, all stakeholders of education, right from the top (Ministry of Education) to the low levels, should cooperate and work together on issues to do with the training of teacher counsellors, and availing facilities for the implementation of the guidance and counselling services in schools.