Guidance And Counselling Needs Assessment At Primary School Level In Kinondoni District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at assessing needs for guidance and counselling services (GCS) at primary school level in Kinondoni District. The methodology employed was mixed method with cross-sectional survey design plus the use of stratified sampling approach to identify schools and respondents in the sampled schools. Semistructured interviews, questionnaire and documentary reviews were used for data collection. The sample constituted a total of 216 respondents from 13 primary schools located in Kinondoni District, 156 primary school pupils (PSP), 13 Head teachers, 26 teacher counsellors (2 from each school), 20 parents and 1 DEO. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 where descriptive statistics and multiple responses were used to find frequencies and percentages of responses. Results revealed that the most need that PSP had was in the academic domain with secondary emphasis on the social domain. The study also revealed that teacher counsellors in primary schools face various challenges including high pupils to counsellor ratio (1:750), limited time to provide GCS, shortage of resources, poor cooperation from parents, abuse of modern technology and inadequate knowledge of guidance and counselling. The study recommended having in place teacher counsellors in primary schools, availability of materials for GCS, enough time for GCS, cooperation from parents, government to build special rooms for GCS, government to take control of the modern technology and carrying out seminars on GCS. The study ends up with conclusion and recommendations for administrative measures and for further research.