| dc.description.abstract | Youth, in contemporary times, are exposed to several conflicting, distracting, difficult and stressful situations. In the past, young people generally tended to rely on the advice, wisdom and judgement of their elders. In modem times, owing to their exposure to other cultural milieu, they are often tempted to imitate and emulate other modes and patterns of behaviour and transvestism. Such influence sometimes creates distressing problems of adjustment. They appear to be increasingly groping for a meaning in life consonant with their ideas and expectations and express themselves by resorting to drug and substance abuse and espousal of the hippie culture. In regard to all these issues, the youth is called upon to make choices from a welter of disconcerting alternatives, of which guidance and counseling is a major aspect.
The main objective of this study was to investigate the attitude of students towards seeking guidance and counseling in public secondary schools in Nairobi Province,
Kenya. The study analysed four issues, namely: attitude of students towards seeking
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guidance and counseling, difference in attitudes towards seeking guidance and counseling between boys and girls, difference in attitudes towards seeking guidance and counseling among students from different types of schools and common personal and academic problems that secondary school students experience. Literature was reviewed on guidance and counseling movement in Africa, the need for the students' counseling and the problems they experience, the role of the teacher-counselor as perceived by the students and review of studies carried out on attitudes of students towards guidance and counseling.
Data were collected from students in public secondary schools in Nairobi Province through the use of questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The Pearson Chi-square statistic was determined to test if there was any significant difference in attitudes towards seeking guidance and counseling between boys and girls. The F ratio was determined to test if there was any significant difference in attitudes towards seeking guidance and counseling and the category of schools. Frequencies were worked out to establish the common personal and academic problems that secondary school student's experience.
1. The findings of the study indicated that secondary school students in Nairobi Province had a negative attitude towards seeking guidance and counseling services.
11. The results also showed that there was no significant difference in attitude towards guidance and counseling between boys and girls.
jii. The results further showed a significant difference in attitudes among students from various categories of schools. The category of school was a significant determinant of the attitude students have towards seeking guidance and counseling help. The most common problems that bedevil students were academic in nature.
IV. The findings also revealed that gender of the guidance and counseling teacher was not a significant determinant of the attitude boys and girls have towards guidance and counseling.
v . The study elicited several recommendations that were meant to enhance students' attitudes towards guidance and counseling and relate to counselors engaging in preventive counseling, harmonisation of students expectations and the goals of the counselors, encouraging students to seek counseling help, training of some students to enable them guide and counsel their peers who, earnestly require counseling assistance. | en |
