DETERMINING THE COUNSELLING NEEDS OF STUDENTS OF WA POLYTECHNIC

ABSTRACT The study is about the counselling needs of students in the Polytechnic in the Wa Municipality. Using a descriptive survey design with a quantitative approach, the researcher used a sample of 810 students drawn from the Wa Polytechnic through the census sampling technique. A Questionnaire developed by the researcher with a composite reliability coefficient of .91 was used to collect data for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools (Independent sample t-test and One-Way ANOVA) were used for the analyses. The study revealed that students in the Wa Polytechnic were challenged in terms of academic problems, vocational problems, social problems and as well as practical problems due to the unavailability of counselling programme in the school. The study also revealed that, the needs for counselling services differed based on gender, age, marital status and programme pursued. These demographic variables determine the specific needs area for guidance and counselling services in the institution. It was recommended that school authorities make effort to provide students with professional counsellors who would help them manage their academic problems, vocational problems, social problems as well as practical problems towards success in their chosen fields.