Counselling Needs of Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: Implications for Inclusive Education in Ghana

Abstract

In this fast changing world, pupils all over the world have developed severe social and psychological needs that affect their interactions with others and subsequently, the achievement of their life goals. Essentially, the social and psychological needs of school pupils have manifested in diverse mal-adjusted behaviours that hinder their academic performance. The study explored the various counselling needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in one of the regions of Ghana and the specific level at which pupils require guidance and counselling services. The purposive and systematic sampling techniques were employed to select 88 pupils and three staff from three special schools from the region to provide information for the study with the use of questionnaire and interview format. The study revealed that pupils had various counselling needs including social, emotional, career, physical and health. On the basis of the findings, some recommendations were made for intervention.

Key words: special educational needs, guidance and counselling, psychological needs, pupils