The Roles of Counselling Psychologists toward the Improvement of Intellectual Functioning of Secondary School Students

Abstract

The paper examined the role of counselling psychologists towards the improvement of intellectual functioning of secondary school students. Academic underachievement both in internal and external examination conducted by West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) were seen as indications of low intellectual functioning. Also a situation where certificate holders are unable to defend such certificates in various spheres of human endeavour where such intellectual prowess are required, was also seen as indication of low intellectual functioning. The highlighted roles which counselling psychologists could play to improve intellectual functioning include: to counsel students on how to focus attention on the study-material when studying, apply stipulated principles of learning to guide the students, to adopt PQ4R method of reading which enhances recall, and application of memory improvement techniques to ensure long term retention of information. Some recommendations were made, among which was that all stakeholders in education should encourage increase in students reading culture. It was also recommended that the JSS and SSS levels of secondary education should have at least two counselling psychologists each. Participation in lumosity training and consumption of brain boosting food were also recommended.

Key Words: Counselling psychologist, intellectual functioning, lumosity training, learning, rehearsal, brain boosting food.