A study of students' problems and perceptions towards guidance and counselling services in Gatuanyaga Division, Thika district

Abstract

The aim of the study was to find' out students' problems and perceptions towards Guidance and Counseling services, Specifically the study explored students problems in Day Secondary Schools, their awareness of Guidance and Counseling services and the attitudes they hold towards guidance and counseling services. The study targeted Form Two and Three students in Thika District Day Secondary schools. A sample of 160 students comprising 80 boys and 80 girls were selected. Population was stratified in four sets of expected homogeneity. Each set comprised 40 participants who were proportionately drawn from their schools. Simple random sampling was used to select participant students from their respective school class registers. The study employed an ex-post facto research design and utilized a questionnaire for data collection and an attitude scale to measure the students' attitudes towards Guidance and Counseling services. Data was analyzed using various descriptive statistics and organized according to the objectives and research questions through the SPSS for effective interpretation and " .further deductions. Results indicated that majority of the students faced problems in the school, are aware of Guidance and Counseling services and they have a positive attitude towards guidance and counseling services. The study confirmed that students attitudes did not differ across gender. The implications of these findings were discussed in relation to strengthening Guidance and Counseling in Kenyan Secondary schools.