Guidance and Counselling: What is the level of Human and Physical Resource Preparedness in providing effective Services in Secondary Schools in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County, Kenya?

Abstract

The gist of this study was to examine the human and resource preparedness to provide effective guidance and counselling (G&C) services   in secondary schools in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County, Kenya. The study used combinations of descriptive survey and correlation research designs.  Stratified sampling technique was employed to select 20 principals and 20 heads of G&C department while simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 students yielding a sample size of 440. Questionnaire, interview schedule and document analysis guide were used to collect data for the study. The study established that approximately two thirds of the practicing school guidance and counseling personnel did not have the required qualifications of diploma and above. Guidance and Counseling facilities were too inadequate to facilitate effective implementation of G&C services in most schools within the study locale. Based on the findings, it was recommended that regular workshops on G&C for public secondary school teachers and other service providers be intensified to enable them improve significantly in pedagogy and effectiveness. The importance of professional self-development and upgrading for teacher effectiveness through self-sponsored workshop attendance should be encouraged. These findings are significant to teacher counselors, Principals and the Ministry of Education Science and Technology as it will enable them to enhance G&C services in schools and achieve the set objectives of school guidance and counseling program in schools.[224  words]

Keywords: Guidance and Counselling, Human and Physical Resources, Preparedness , effective Services ,  Secondary Schools,   Bureti Sub County, Kericho County, Kenya.