Dr Helen Efeyadu Uzoekwe, Dr Grace Chinyere Nnadi, Dr Francisca Eberechukwu Chigbu, Dr Edna Nkechi Ofojebe & Dr Obianuju Blessing Muokwelu
Abstract
This study is carried out in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria and it adopts a survey research design in identifying factors hindering students from accessing guidance and counselling services. The study was guided by two research questions; and used a sample size of 150 SSS III students drawn through simple random sampling from public secondary schools. Factors Preventing Secondary School Students from Responding to Guidance and Counselling Services Questionnaire (FPSSSRGCSQ) is used for data collection. The reliability coefficient value of the instrument is 0.80. The data generated was analyzed using arithmetic weighted mean. The findings among other things revealed that carrying out counselling in staff room, unavailability of counsellors, lukewarm attitudes of some principals and teachers to counselling services are school related factors that prevent students from responding to guidance and counselling services while not being friendly enough, aggressiveness and unavailability of a counsellor are some of the counsellors related factors that prevent some secondary school students from responding to counselling services in school. The researchers recommended that school administrators should be giving their support for counselling services in school because the support is the backbone behind the effectiveness and efficiency of counselling programmes.