Abstract

This study focuses on “student’s perception on guidance and cancelling service in some secondary schools in the Buea municipality” The study was guided by a Number of research questions. A survey research design was used random sampling technique. The research used questionnaires as instrument for data collection which was distributed using direct delivery method. The result from the findings indicates that counseling services paly significant role in the academic life of student hence student have a positive perception of the service.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter is examined under the following subheadings; Background of the study, Statement of Problem, objectives of the study, Research questions, Significance of the study, scope delimitation of the study and Operational definition of terms.

• Background to the study

Guidance and Counseling can be tracked far back to the 1890s where. A German Neurologist called Sigmund Freud developed a theory known as psycho-analysis in which individuals were called to share their problems to trained individuals specialized interpreting the sub role in the history of counseling. Today in Cameroon, we can boast of guardian counselors in most of air government and the secondary and higher institutions of learning. These counselors are there to help students solve their educational social, physical and emotional challenges.

Guidance and counseling services within secondary schools have historically been given low priority when compared to other curriculum often, there is only one career adviser or tasked with delivering career education and guidance to all students at all levels. In the year 2009, the ministry of education mandated compulsory counselors and career educators for all students from year 7 to 18. Before this, Guidance and counseling services were already set up within the department of education.

The purpose of this was to help students solve their academic difficulties and furnish them with information on occupational opportunities and trends based on their strengths and weaknesses. This was beneficial to students as it gave them an   inside of what they could do after studies and it equally helped them overcome academic and learning challenges.

In September 1968, when recommendations were made by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNSECO (2002:2) adds that. “Africans adults have become more concerned with earning money and are less occupied with many traditional practices that formerly contributed to the changes emanating from modernization and urbanization stress students. And as such, guidance counselors come in to help such students manage their stress and guide them on how to study more effectively by addressing both educational and social problems affecting such students.

1.2. Statement of the problem

Guidance and counseling programs in secondary schools is concerned with determining and providing the developmental needs of learners. A good definition of guidance and counseling program should focus on holistic nature which include; personal academic, social, vocational among others.

Although a lot of efforts are being put in place for effective guidance and counseling services, the result have been too little to bring about significant career help  among education without a clear picture of which indicated by the way secondary school graduates continuously revise their career  opportunities even up to the time of joining or learning in the University. Others who are not lucky to gain admission into universities or other tertiary levels of training end up frustrated and become idle.

Many studies in guidance and counseling has been done on many aspects yet this area has not been fully explored hence, the need to undertake the present study which is to investigate the attitudes of students towards guidance and counseling services, the level of access to these services and the quality of services offered to students.

1.3.Objectives of the study

1.3.1.   General objectives

To investigate the altitudes of students towards guidance and counseling services in some secondary schools in the Buea Municipality

1.3.2. Specific Objectives

1. To investigate if guidance and counseling services provided in secondary schools are easily accessible by students
2. To investigate the quality of guidance and counseling services rendered to students
3. To investigate the attitude of students towards guidance and counseling services

1.4.Research Questions

1.4.1.General research questions

What perception do students have about guidance and counseling services in some secondary schools in the Buea municipality?

1.4.2.   Specific Research questions

1. How accessible are guidance and counseling services in secondary schools?
2. What is the quality of guidance and counseling services offered to students?
3. What perceptions do students have towards guidance and counseling services