Authors: Stella Nkatha Kebongo and Boniface Njuguna Mwangi
Africa Nazarene University, P.O. Box 53067 – 00200, Nairobi
Author Email: skebongo@gmail.com
Abstract
The current problems facing the Kenyan pupil require Guidance and Counseling (G&C) teachers to be knowledgeable about psychological and behavioral interventions, both at the preventive and responsive levels. Despite the fact that Kikuyu Sub County public primary schools record high incidences of pupils’ absenteeism, alcohol and drugs abuse, psychosocial and teenage sexuality issues, G&C activities are very minimal. The main purpose of this study was to assess the G&C teachers’ preparedness to offer effective services in public primary schools in Kikuyu Sub County, Kiambu County, Kenya. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The study target population comprised of 31 G&C teachers, 439 teachers and 31 headteachers from 31 public primary schools. All the 31 G&C teachers were sampled through census technique, 93 class teachers through purposive sampling and nine headteachers were sampled through simple random sampling. Data was collected through G&C teachers’ questionnaires, class teachers’ questionnaires, and headteachers interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed by the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and summarized in frequencies, percentages, bar charts and inferential statistics (chi-square). The study found that though there was a high need for guidance and counselling in psycho-social and sexuality issues. Most of G&C teachers had no formal training in counseling, had a high workload and no program structure. Almost all the schools had no essential resources such as G&C office and vital reference books. In addition, the support from stakeholders was wanting. It was recommended that the government should recognize school counseling as a profession in its own right, harmonize the training of G&C teachers to have a common curriculum and accreditation body, and come up with a unified ethical code for school counsellors. All stakeholders such as the county government, national government and parents should view G&C as an essential component in education and not as an auxiliary and as such fund the programmes.
Key Words: Guidance and counselling services, Guidance and counselling teachers, Guidance and Counseling teachers’ preparedness
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Suggested Citation
Kebongo, S.N. & Mwangi, B. N. (2020). An Assessment of Guidance and Counseling Teachers’ Preparedness in Offering Effective Services in Public Primary Schools in Kikuyu Sub County, Kenya. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 7(1), 2020. Available online at : http://arjess.org/education-research/ an-assessment-of…sub-county-kenya
