Effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling Services in Senior High Schools at Jaman North District in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of guidance and counselling services in senior high schools in the Jaman North district of Ghana. Case study research design was used to study the topic. The targeted population comprised Senior High School students and guidance coordinators or counsellors. Semi-structured interview guidewas used to collect data from the students and counsellors. Purposive sampling technique was used to select all 6counsellors and convenience sampling technique was used to select 36 students who had patronized guidance and counselling services in their schools. The researchers discovered that the main problems that students faced in senior high schools were subject selection, substance abuse, relationship problems and stress. The study also discovered that guidance and counselling services were not effective in the district due to lack of trust and unavailability of the counsellors. The researchers concluded that practicing guidance and counselling coordinators in the district lacked specialized training in the profession. The researchersrecommended among other things that the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Ghana Education Serviceshould enforce policies of posting professionally trained counsellors to all senior high schools in the country.