Guidance Needs of Senior High School Students in Fanteakwa North and South Districts of Ghana

Abstract

Knowing students' guidance needs will assist Guidance and Counselling Co-ordinators to discharge their obligations not only effectively but also more efficiently. This study explored the guidance needs of students of Senior High Schools in the Fanteakwa North and South Districts in the Eastern region of Ghana. The study employed the descriptive sample survey design in which data were collected from a total of 350 respondents. Data were collected using a 30-item questionnaire and analysed using STATA 15. The results show that interpersonal relationship, financial needs and self-understanding are more relevant to students than spiritual needs, employment needs and study habits. It was also found that inadequate knowledge of students' guidance needs and lack of funds for Guidance and Counselling programmes were the more dominant reasons why students' guidance needs were not met. It was recommended that Guidance and Counselling Co-ordinators need to conduct regular needs assessment for the students so as to be able to align their programmes to the needs of the students. Again, the Ministry of Education should ensure that more qualified personnel are trained in the field of counselling and recruited to address students' guidance needs.