Evaluation of the Status of Guidance Services in Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria
The study investigated the status of guidance services in some Secondary schools in Rivers State. Out of the two hundred and fifty (250) public schools in Port Harcourt, only twenty (20) have at least a practicing counsellor. Fourteen schools with practicing counsellors were sampled in this study. The two Federal Government and University Demonstration Schools in Port Harcourt were also included in the study. Data was collected through the administration of a questionnaire on guidance services. Data analysis revealed Guidance and Counselling services in Rivers State are faced with many obstacles which jeopardize effective delivery of the services, thereby resulting in educational wastage instead of the expected quality outcome. Funds for provision of basic guidance services are lacking. Most of the vital counselling services needed for quality education are the least regularly performed in schools e.g. use of psychological tests and keeping of cumulative record folders. Only 18% of the schools sampled indicated that the objectives of the National Policy on education with respect to guidance and counselling services have been realized to some extent. If the stated objectives of Education in the National Policy on Education are to be achieved, the current status of guidance services needs to be reviewed and positive steps taken towards its improvement. Keywords: Evaluation, status, guidance services.