Towards Provision Of Qualityguidance And Counseling Services In Zanzibar Secondary Schools

ABSTRACT

This study explored the provision of quality school guidance and counseling

services in secondary schools in Micheweni District at north region in Pemba Island

located in Zanzibar. The study aimed to examine the roles and responsibilities of

school counselors, identify problems facing school guidance and counseling

services, and then establish measures to improve the provision of guidance and

counseling services in Zanzibar schools. The study employed descriptive survey

design using qualitative research approach during the process of gathering and

analyzing the data. The purposive sampling technique was used in sampling four (4)

heads of schools, four (4) teacher counselors, four (4) non-teacher counselors and

four (4) students.

The data were collected using face to face semi-structured interviews, focus group

discussions and document reviews. The findings revealed that all teachers were

aware of the roles of the teacher counselors in schools. Lack of trained teacher

counselors, lack of guidance and counseling facilities such as note books, financial

support and electronic media such as TV, DVDs and CDs, lack of school time table

for guidance and counseling services were revealed to be among the major

challenges facing guidance and counseling services in Zanzibar schools. It was

concluded that the provision of quality guidance and counseling services would

otherwise guarantee the schools to be centers for provision of human social services

to attain their full potential.

The implication of this study, help both MoEVT and educational stakeholders to

advance the guidance and counseling infrastructure for the benefit of Zanzibar

secondary schools. The study suggests the mounting of rigorous professional

development program for school teacher counselors and provision of enough and

appropriate counseling materials as the necessary measures to improve guidance and

counseling services in schools.