Guidance and Counseling Services and Professional Ethics among Teachers in Selected Primary Schools in Nyamira North District, Kenya

ABSTRACT 

The study sought to establish the relationship between guidance and counseling services and professional ethics among teachers in Nyamira North District, Kenya. It was guided by the following objectives: (1) to determine the profile of the respondents in terms of gender, age, marital status, academic qualification and number of years of teaching experience; (2) to determine the level of guidance and counseling services in schools; (3) to determine the level of professional ethics among teachers in selected school and; (4) to determine if there is significant relationship between the level of guidance and counseling services in schools and the level of professional ethics among teachers. The descriptive survey and extpost facto design were used. The sample comprised of 200 respondents who were primary teachers, being 120 male teachers and 80 female teachers. Data was collected using researcher-designed questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version was used to analyze the data. Findings of the study showed that majority of the teachers in Nyamira North District were aged between 31-50 years, most of them being married and almost all had acquired a teaching experience of 21- 30 years. Personal/ social guidance and counseling services were offered mostly in schools followed by educational and lastly vocational. Guidance and Counseling services are provided locally and no professional skills and programs employed. On Professional Ethics teachers are mostly concerned with integrity domain, followed by care, then trust and lastly respect. The services have not been able to fully manage ethical issues among teachers, as a relationship was found to exist between the two. The recommendations include sensitization and encouragement programs to all stake holders to improve guidance and counseling services that are aimed at managing teachers unethical issues.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration A

Declaration B ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Abstract V

List of Tables ix

List of Acronyms X

CHAPTER page

ONE THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the study 1

Statement of the Problem 5

Purpose of the Study 6

Research Objectives 7

Research Questions 7

Hypothesis 8

The Scope of the study 8

Significance of the Study 8

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 9

TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 10

Concepts, Opinions, Ideas from Authors/ Experts 10

Theoretical Perspectives 20

Related Studies 23

THREE METHODOLOGY

Research Design earch Population 28

Sample Size 28

Research Instrument. 29

Validity and Reliability of the Instruments 30

Data Gathering Procedure 30

Data Analysis 31

Ethical Consideration 32

Limitations of the study 32

FOUR PRESENTAION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 33

Demographic characteristics of the respondents 33

Level of guidance and counseling services 36

Level of professional ethics 41

Relationship between level of counseling services

and level of professional ethics 46

FIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 48

Summary of findings 48

Conclusion 50

Recommendations 51

Suggestions for further research 52

REFERENCES 53

APPENDIX I A : TRANSMITTAL LETTER FROM CHOR 57

APPENDIX I B : TRANSMITTAL LETTER FROM MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 58

APPENDIX II CLEARENCE FROM ETHICS COMMITTEE 59

APPENDIII INFORMED CONCENT 60

APPENDIX IV SAMPLE SIZE COMPUTATION 61

APPENDIX V VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY COMPUTATION 62

APPENDIX VI RESEARCH INSTRUMENT 63

RESEARCHER'S CURRICULUM VITAE 68