The impact of guidance and counselling programme on the behaviour of primary school pupils in selected schools: A case of Etago Division ,Gucha Districts

Abstract

Surveys carried out indicate that pupils in the primary schools have varying needs requiring the intervention of Guidanceland Counselling Services. Guidance and Counseling has not been introduced in most primary schools. The introduction of the 8:414 system ofgeducation and the free primary education in Kenya have placed heavy demands on the educatbors and the learners. Guidance and counseling was first thought of in l976 following the recommendation of Gachathi Report of l976.This service was seen as being essential in addressing the needs of the pupils in primary schools.Pupils of different age-levels were mixed in the same classes and had different needs that require the services of Guidance and Counselling. This study_investigated the impact ofGuidance and Counselling Programme on the primary school pupils’ behaviour. The study was a survey using ex-post facto research design and targeted a population of l5,986 pupils and 408 teachers who were in the 52 public primary schools in Gucha District. Stratified and simple random sampling methods were used to scleet a sample for study. The sample was comprised of 222 pupils and 43 headteachers. Data was collected using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data collected using the latest Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme. The findings of the study are expected to assist in the adjustment of the school Guidance and Counselling Programme to suit the needs of these pupils and their teachers, especially the teacher-counsellors, to enhance the realization of improved self-esteein. self- worth, interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships of pupils within the wider society. The study supported the following findings; majority of the pupils (100%) agreed that they liutl needs whicl require the services of Guidance and Counselling at all times and that they behave badly as a result of drug-abuse, adolescent stage (in some) and interpersonal relationships amongst other factors. Guidance can only be effective if pupils and their parents are actively involved in its implementation. In view of the above findings, the following recommendations were made: pupils and parents in primary schools should be encouraged to participate in the implementation of the programme, there should be gender sensitivity in the lcadersliip of primary schools in Etago Division to cater for the varied needs of boys uud girls, the schools should adjust their programmes to set a side time for Guidance and Counselling and more sensitization seminars should be organized to equip most (if not all) teachers with Guidance and Counselling skills so as to be more useful to the pupils. This will broaden the scope of assistingthese youngsters.