Evaluating the Impact of Counseling Services in Senior High Schools in Ghana: The Case Of Okere District. (Published)

Article Author: David Anim Mante and Li Maose

Lately, it is common to observe violence and other deviant behaviors among senior high schools. This many have attributed it to poor implementation of guidance and counseling services rendered in most SHS in the country and the Okere District. The primary research purpose was to assess the importance of guidance and counseling units in some selected Senior High Schools in the Okere District. The nature of the research was descriptive, with the questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. The research employed simple random sampling and purposive sampling methods to select students and teachers, respectively. Statistical tools employed were mean, charts, percentages, crosstabulation, and ANOVA. The findings revealed that most Senior High Schools in the District render orientation service. The findings also revealed that lack of training physical facilities, inadequate funds, missing pertinent reference materials, few guidance and counseling sessions, and no involvement of peer counselors impede the implementation of guidance and counseling units in the District. Finally, the findings also revealed guidance and counseling services rendered in the schools in the District affect students’ academic performance. Therefore, it is recommended that schools in the District be assisted in improving their guidance and counseling units since it will affect students’ academic performance when well carried out.