The Need, Practice and Challenges of Guidance and Counseling Services in Selected Sidama Zone Secondary Schools of SNNPRS Ethiopia

Abstract

The general objective of this study was to assess the need, process of practice and challenges of guidance and counseling services in selected secondary schools at Sidama Zone of SNNPRS, Ethiopia. The study used survey design and 258 student, 3 school counselors and 5 school directors were participated in the study. Descriptive statistics like percentages, mean, range, and Standard deviation were used as data analysis techniques for close ended items. Open ended items were narrated qualitatively. The result indicated that there is high counselor student ratio in the study areas. Although Students have favorable perception about school counseling programs and characteristics of their school counselors, majority of students are not utilizing counseling services. As a result students face different psychosocial problems that need the help of school counselors. The major problems faced by students are low self concept, lack of proper study skills, time management problem,  lack of assertiveness among female students  in their teaching learning process, and different psychosocial problems students with special Needs face. The major reasons for not utilization of the available guidance and counseling service in their respective schools are lack of awareness about the service in their school, and weak link between school counselors and school community among others. Besides, counseling services in schools are not being implemented due to different problem which are related with pre-service training of professionals, administrative problems, lack of proper guideline and manual, lack of job description proper evaluation mechanism of professionals and counselors' personal problems. Based on the findings, it is recommended that there should be clear manual and job description for professionals and necessary pre-service training on school counseling should be offered for new graduate to improve school guidance and counseling services in the nation.