THE NEED FOR COUNSELLING CENTRES IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL “PROBLEMS AND PROSPECT”
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research work is to find out the problems associated in the lack of guidance and counselling centres in some selected secondary schools of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State and proffer solutions to these problems. In the process, the researcher focused her investigation on the following; the need for guidance and counselling centres, the problems for the lack of guidance and counselling centres and the possible ways to solving the problems associated with the lack of a guidance and counselling centres, and finally the benefits to the society at large. The instrument used for the research were the questionnaire and oral interview methods.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
It would be of great help to discuss guidance and counseling and how in how it came into Nigeria. Before taking our mind into the need for the need of counseling center in secondary school in Edo state, I will first look into the terms guidance and counseling and could be used separately and may be exchange, although they are not necessary syndromes guidance is an umbrella terms for both guidance and Counselling while Counselling is an essential part of guidance.
Some authors have claimed that attempt to differentiate between guidance and Counselling have not met with any notice degree of meaning they went further to say that differences between them are artificial and that the term could be interchangeable
According to Downing (1992) guidance is the assistance given to enable a person gain clarification of the essence of this like. The essence is a meaningful selfhood freedom individual, dignity equality of opportunities responsible citizenship and worthy activity in work and leisure.
According to Shertzer and Stone (1996) sees guidance as a process of helping the individual to understand himself and also come to know that people he interacts with more deeply. It is also the process of helping individual to discover his vocational social and psychological potentials and likewise development.
Mertin et al (1995) defined counseling as a process which take place in pone-relationship between as individual faced with problem which he cannot cope with alone, and a professional worker whose training and experience qualify him to assist other to arrive at solution interaction that occurs between two individual that is a counselor and a client or counselee.
According to Eduwen (1994) counseling is a contact between a counselor and a counselee to overcome his crises, on the other hand, guidance and counseling services are desirable responses to social needs and aspiration.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Counseling center is essential to all levels of education unfortunately there has been no record of any counseling centres in secondary school in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. These students cannot identify their talents because of lack of counseling. Furthermore many students do not know the importance of education and the work around them and therefore, they do not take their environment seriously.
All principals of schools or heads of schools and parents always have the notion that the essence of education is for the child to acquire knowledge only but that is not all. The aim of education will be well defined it the students can out of interest or ambition choose a trade or vocation. The number of school drop outs, the rate of juvenile delinquency, armed robbing as well as other social ills such as lack of respect for constituted authorities and a host of others will continue to increase with absence of counseling centers in secondary schools.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The main purpose of this study is to find out the need for counseling centers in secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
It will also investigate it ignorance of the usefulness of counseling is a major problem hindering the setting up of counseling centers in secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State and make appropriate recommendation to the authorities concerned.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is significant for the following reasons in secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. It will also provide opportunities for the researcher and others to obtain firsthand information on how counseling centers will be provided in secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
This study is also paramount, as it will help to fine out the individual problems of students , thereby helping them to overcome these problems and enhance effective teaching and learning. It will be of great importance to the students , teachers, parents, society, counselors, constituted authorities and many others. It will also help to create good morals in the students to know the usefulness of Education and make them work very hard to achieve success. It will be of huge not appropriate to teachers and students who may have had a number of complex problems associated with their careers.
It addition, practicing counseling will enable the teachers to think the result of this study useful in the discharge of their duties. Finally the researcher hopes that the result or outcome of this study will help the educational planner to see the need for counseling centers in secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study was carried out in some selected secondary school in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
These schools does includes:
1. Oredo Secondary school
2. Uwelu Secondary School
3. Eweka Secondary School
4. Standard group of School
5. Blessed At. Paul memorial school
6. Step Forward group of school
The investigation covered secondary schools using at least one hundred (100) students randomly selected from each of the classes in different school so selected. Moreover, some homes in Oredo Local Government Area was also visited.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Is there need for counselling center in secondary school?
2. Will the provision of counseling center in secondary school’s be at great help to parents and teachers?
3. Is the establishment of counselling units in secondary schools of ny benefit to teachers?
4. Will counselling centers in secondary schools help students ?
5. Is counselling centers in secondary schools of great help to government?
DEFINITION TO TERMS
Guidance: Help or advice that is given to some body by some one with more experiences.
Counseling – The act of listening to people and giving them support to their problem.
Client – some one who uses the services of a professional person or organization
Centers – a place certain activities are carried out
Implementation – to take active or make changes that you have officially leaded should happen
Authority – the powers you have because of your official position or because of people respect four knowledge and experience.
Potential: That can or may happen.
Competent: Able to do some thins well, able to do what is needed.
Investigate: Being different, not being like others, keeping things different.
Essential: that must be done.
Juvenile Delinquency: Young person who does wrong.