CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Introduction

This chapter deals with the introduction background of the study, statement of the problem, the significance of the study, hypothesis, research questions, scope and delimitations of the study, abbreviations, and definition of operational terms.

Background of the study

Confidentiality is one of the main ethical considerations for school counselors. Counselors need to maintain students’ trust, but still do what they can to keep students safe and parents informed.

Even with the legal issues involved, from an ethical standpoint, the school counselor’s client is the student. This is one of the first things discussed in the ethical standards for school counselors (2004). The parent’s needs are considered, but the needs of the students come first, above all others.

School counselors are part of an educational community. As such, they consult with teachers, administration, and parents. It is important for school counselors to clarify that, their consultation is on behalf of students and that only the students are their clients.

Carl Roger’s theory of client center approach talks about congruency, meaning honesty. He says the counselor should not pretend to be checked; counselors should know their ethical code which is confidentiality.

Don’t hide what students need to know. It will help guide them on what to follow when they have problems and allow them to make their own decisions. A counselor should not pretend to be honest in front of the students and discuss with other people later what he has discussed with the student.

Also, the rational-emotive approach talks about the fact that people get disturbed and malfunction due to their irrational attitudes, beliefs, and philosophical views. This will mean the counselor needs to keep such problems confidential.

When students with various problems come, the counselor is not to announce or make it known to others after counseling but preserve what has been discussed.

Ethically, school counselors are required to take appropriate actions if students engage in behaviors that present clear and imminent danger to themselves and others.

Legally, they are required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglects; they are also required to participate in other legal proceedings dictated by the courts. In attempting to weigh their legal and ethical obligations, it is helpful for such school counselors to clearly identify those they consider to be clients (students).

It is in this light that the researcher seeks to investigate counselors’ confidentiality and its effectiveness on students’ academic performance.

Statement of the problem

To meet the challenge of higher standards and higher expectations in counseling, counselors are likely to keep student’s discussions confidential. The aspect of confidentiality is not only keeping discussion with students secret but also keeping secret what they see about students, only disclosing it when necessary.

For example, for a student regarded to threaten other students, it is the counselor’s duty to report the threat to law enforcement.

Counselors should also keep in secret students’ records for all this will positively affect students’ academic performance. Although students are always reluctant and afraid to take their problems to the counselors because they fear they will be exposed or humiliated, they fail to know that counselors’ confidentiality is ethical.

Objectives of the study

Main research objective

To examine the confidentiality of counselors and its effectiveness on students’ academic performance.

Specific research objective

1. To examine the impact of counseling on students’ academic performance.
2. To examine the relationship between counseling and students’ academic performance.
3. To find out if inadequate counselor confidentiality has an impact on students’ academic achievement.
4. To investigate the importance of counseling in schools.

Research questions

Main research question

What is the impact of counselor confidentiality and its effectiveness on students’ academic performance?

Specific research questions

1. What impact does counseling have on students’ academic performance?
2. What is the relationship between counseling and students’ academic achievement?
3. How does inadequate counselors’ confidentiality affect students’ performance?
4. What is the importance of counseling in schools?