INFLUENCE OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS ON THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MBEERE NORTH EMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study focused on the influence of support systems on effective implementation of guidance and counseling in secondary schools in Mbeere North Sub-County of Embu County. The study was guided by the following research questions; what are the support systems that can be implemented to support the provision of Guidance and Counselling in secondary schools in Mbeere North of Embu? What are the Benefits of the Effective Implementation of Guidance and Counseling services? What are the obstacles that affect the provision of guidance and counseling services? What are the strategies to be put in place to ensure the effective implementation of guidance and counseling services? The reviewed literature discussed the theories related to implementation of guidance and counseling and empirical studies according to themes based on the research questions of the study. The researcher used a mixed method approach .In this, the researcher used cross-sectional survey design for quantitative data and phenomenology for qualitative data. Using Probability sampling procedures, stratified random sampling was used to select twelve secondary schools and twelve head teachers from the sampled schools were included automatically. The twelve teachers were also selected by use of purposive sampling. The researcher had a set of questionnaire for the teachers and students and an Interview guide for the principals. The quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 20.0 was presented using means, frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were coded and then categorized into themes according to research questions and presented using narrative description. The findings show that the majority of principals provided adequate support systems; the needs of students were meet that helped them to improve socially and academically. According to the study lack of motivation to guidance and counseling teachers, heavy workload, lack of enough materials and facilities, lack of enough time, inadequate professional trainings and skills are all obstacles that hinder the provision of the guidance and counseling services in secondary schools in Mbeere. The researcher recommended that a welldocumented policy, adequate materials and facilitates, recruiting of guidance and counseling teachers, training and sensitization of all stakeholders on importance of guidance and counseling