Counselling Services as a Predictor of Academic Excellence in Secondary Schools as Expressed by Counsellors in Ilorin Metropolis

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

            Guidance and counselling are two closely interrelated concepts and each determines the availability and efficient of the other. According to Makinde (1999) and Patternson (1997) the word ‘guidance’ refers to a broad area of educational activities and services related to individual students inorder to understand them and adjust to school life. The development of guidance and counselling originated from the United State of America in 1900’s. A person named Godwin in 1911 orgarnised guidance programme in USA that catered for students. The emphases was on vocation information, awareness of the world of work, location of employment and reduction in examination anxiety (Makionde, 1999). He noted that since 1950, popular views of guidance and counselling have changed rapidly and that understanding youth problems are among the functions of school guidance and counselling. A random sampling of 100 consellors’ educational programme was carried out in USA. The study found out that guidance and counselling specifically influence academic performance of students. Guidance and counselling are inevitable academic tools needed for educational development, academic building, moral booster and behavioural building and modification. Its roles can not be underestimated in places like schools, colleges, hospitals, courts and industries. Based on its importance in the society and different academic fields, there is need to introduce counselling in every area of our wold (Oladele, 2000).