COUNSELLING AS PREDICTOR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ DESIRABLE BEHAVIOUR IN UDI EDUCATION ZONE OF ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This study investigated guidance and counselling practices as predictors of secondary school students’ desirable behaviour in Udi education zone, of Enugu state. The population comprised 50 respondents (19 male and 31 female) secondary school counsellors from 54 public secondary schools in Udi education zone, Enugu state. The study addressed three research questions and three null hypotheses. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire, section; A, B and C. The instrument was validated by experts while the reliability of the instrument was determined by the use of Cronbach Alpha formula which yielded reliability co-efficient of 0.76. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while t-test was used to analyse the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance and appropriate degree of freedom. The null hypotheses tested showed no significant difference in the mean response of male and female counsellors on the counselling services, counselling programmes and appraisal services practices which contribute to the enhancement of secondary school students’ desirable behaviour. It was found among others that counselling services, counselling programmes and appraisal services practices; contribute to students’ desirable behaviour. Therefore, counselling contributes to students’ desirable behaviour in secondary school in Enugu state. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that guidance and counselling services should be enhanced since, it contributes to the enhancement of students’ desirable behaviours students should always be counseled and followed up at when necessary to enhance their desirable behaviour.