Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Guidance and counseling programs in secondary schools play a crucial role in enhancing the overall quality of education and student development. This research explores the significance and impact of guidance and counseling services as a tool for quality enhancement in secondary schools. The study investigates the various aspects of guidance and counseling, including academic, career, and personal-social support, and how these services contribute to improving student outcomes and well-being. Through a comprehensive review of literature, this research highlights the positive effects of guidance and counseling on student academic performance, career decision-making, and emotional well-being. It examines the role of school counselors in providing individualized support to students, helping them set academic goals, explore career options, and develop essential life skills. The study also delves into the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive school environment that fosters positive relationships and emotional resilience among students. Furthermore, the research explores the challenges and barriers faced by school counselors in delivering effective guidance and counseling services in secondary schools. It addresses issues such as high student-to-counselor ratios, limited resources, and the stigma associated with seeking counseling support. By identifying these challenges, the study aims to propose strategies and recommendations for improving the accessibility and quality of guidance and counseling services in secondary schools. In addition, this research examines the impact of technology on guidance and counseling practices in secondary schools. It investigates the role of online counseling platforms, mobile apps, and digital resources in expanding access to counseling services and providing timely support to students. The study also considers the ethical and privacy implications of integrating technology into counseling practices and emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality and data security. Overall, this research underscores the critical importance of guidance and counseling as a tool for quality enhancement in secondary schools. By providing students with academic, career, and personal-social support, school counselors play a vital role in promoting student success, well-being, and holistic development. Through effective guidance and counseling programs, secondary schools can create a nurturing and supportive environment that empowers students to achieve their full potential and thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Thesis Overview

The quality of guidance and counseling services provided to secondary school students in Kenya is paramount for it to have meaningful impact on students’ performance. The study was conducted to determine the quality of guidance and counseling services as a tool for improving students performance given by teacher counselors in public secondary schools in Voi district, Taita Taveta county.Quality Enhancement

The study sought to find out the level of training of teacher counselors, the extent of awareness of guidance and counseling services by students, the availability of necessary facilities and resources that aid in the provision of guidance and counseling services to the students and the impact of guidance and counseling services on the overall performance of students. A stratified random sampling was used to obtain the study sample; questionnaires for the students which had both closed and open ended questions, interview schedules for teacher counselors and head teachers were used to collect the data. The study was conducted in 6 public secondary schools distributed as 3 boys only schools, 2 mixed boys and girls school and 1 girls only school.

The target group in this study was 392 respondents comprised of 380 students respondents, 6 teacher counselors and 6 head teachers. Quantitative data that was collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics; mean, frequency distribution tables, percentages and charts. Qualitative data from the interviews were recorded and inferences made on the responses to establish the themes The study revealed that teacher counselors have the requisite training, however, they gave priority to their classroom work which is their core mandate; guidance and counseling is done when time permits.

The teacher counselor’s workload and teacher-teacher counselor roles conflict were identified as barriers in the provision of guidance and counseling services to the students. The study also found out that most of students were aware of the guidance and counseling services offered by the teacher counselors as they were able to identify issues they would present to a teacher counselor when need arises. Resources availability was also noted as inadequate in all the schools and little or no budgetary allocation for guidance and counseling department by school management, and as such, teacher counselors had to do with what was available.

The study also established that the guidance and counseling services offered by teacher counselors had some impact on the students. The study therefore recommends that; to ensure quality and to enhance the impact of guidance and counseling services offered to students in public secondary schools, a review of guidance and counseling policy should be put in place by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology such that professional guidance and counseling specialists who are not classroom teachers be employed and be deployed in public secondary schools to be in charge of the guidance and counseling department on a full time basis.