The Effectiveness of Peer Counselling on University Students, A Case Study of Egerton University,Njoro Campus

Abstract

Peer counselling is becoming an important and integral pait of our institutions of higher leaming owing to the dynamism of these institutions and the many problems facing the university students. The need for peer counsellors is one that cannot be overlooked owing to the fact that the university or college counsellor is either only one or non-existent. Researchers have observed over the decades that people tend to be more open and identify more easily with their peers when dealing with issues affecting them. Peer counsellors collaborate with the University counsellor in reaching out to colleague students and helping them deal with issues affecting their daily lives. This study assessed the period and the curriculum that the peer counsellors undergo to prepare and equip them to deal with colleague students effectively, and at the same time not jeopardize their academics. It also looked at the number of students who seek peer counselling services when in need and the ratio of peer counsellors in session in relation to the number of students in session during that semester. The study also assessed the effectiveness of peer counselling programme on the university students in relation to assisting them to adopt positive behaviour especially in making informed choices on their sexual behaviours, adjustment to the university life, assertiveness in tenris of knowing their rights and pursuing them, better communication, among others. This study was a survey in which the population of 3,356 students who were in session were randomly sampled. These were 2nd,3rd and 4th year students. The data required was collected from 283 respondents out of the 341 respondents who had been sampled out. It was also collected from 20 peer counsellors who were in session. The data collected was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics as well as chi-square test, using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) package. The results of this study have been used to recommend ways and means of making the peer counselling programme more effective and student-friendly.