ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

PROGRAMME ON CAREER CHOICE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN

ARGUNGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

BY:

BILYAMINU LAWAL AWASHAKA NCE/32246/20/KB PHY/CHEM

SHAMSU ZAKARIYA NCE/32611/20/KB PHY/CHEM

ALASAN SANI NCE/32268/20/KB PHY/CHEM

BASHAR BALA NCE/32134/20/KB PHY/CHEM

MUSA YANUSA NCE/32586/20/KB PHY/CHEM

A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM

AND INSTRUCTION, ADAMU AUGIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ARGUNGU, IN

PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF

NIGERIA CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (NCE).

FEBRUARY, 2024.

i
 APPROVAL PAGE

This project has been read and approved as meeting the requirement for the award of Nigeria

Certificate in Education (NCE), in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Adamu

Augie College of Education, Arugungu.

----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Project supervisor Sign & Date

----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Head of Department Sign & Date

------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
External Examiner Sign & Date

ii
 DEDICATION

This project work is dedicated to our family members and friends who strived to take the

responsibilities of our moral and financial assistance during the course of our studies.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All thanks due to the Almighty Allah for His protection and guidance and for giving us the

ability to go through this research work and the successful completion of the project. We also

wish to thank our project supervisor, Mr. Dominic Samaila who not only accorded us unreserved

cooperation during the course of this research, but whose quality of supervision makes this

project a successful one. We admire and respect you sir. We are very grateful for his patience in

reading through the entire work over and over again making useful corrections and criticisms and

improving the quality of work. His marginal comments, through brief are incisive enough to give

a wider insight into the topic under discussion.

Our gratitude goes to all lecturers in school of Education and sciences for the academic training

that we received from them through teaching and learning the NCE courses which inspired our

knowledge to come out with this research project.

Our special thanks also go to our parents for their prayers and courage throughout this work.

They did not only help financially but also gave us the love, patience, encouragement and moral

support we needed, at a time we thought we could hardly continue.

Lastly, our profound gratitude goes to our brothers, sisters and friends for their meaningful

contributions to the accomplishment of a desired objective.

iv
 ABSTRACT

This research work has attempted to investigate the assessment of the effectiveness of guidance and
counseling programme on career choice of senor secondary school students in Argungu Local
Government, Kebbi State. To achieve the objectives of the study, two research questions were formulated.
The population for the study consisted of 2,975 Senior Secondary two (SS2) students in public secondary
schools in Argungu Local Government. Three hundred and Fifty-three secondary school students were
randomly selected from five selected public secondary schools in the area. Questionnaire was used as
instrument for data collection and independent statistical method was employed in analyzing the data
collected. Findings revealed guidance and counselling influences career choices of in secondary schools
in Argungu Local Government; provision of professional counsellors in our secondary schools has
influence on students’ career choices in Argungu Local Government. Based on the findings of the study,
it was recommended that school administrators are encourage to always organize guidance and
counselling programmes for students as this will provide them adequate information and guide them in
making intelligent career decisions. The study researchers that guidance and counselling influence is a
key factor in career-related decisions of in secondary schools in Argungu Local Government. Although,
the guidance and counselling officers available in many schools are not professional, the students
confirmed that there is availability of guidance and counselling officers who always give them knowledge
on career choice.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study 1-2
1.2 Statement of the Problem 2-3
1.3 Purpose of the Study 3
1.4 Research Questions 3
1.5 Significance of the Study 3-4
1.6 Scope 4
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms 4
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Historical Development of Guidance and Counselling in Career Choice in the World 5
2.3 Development of Guidance and Counselling in Career Choice in Nigeria 6-7
2.4 Rationale for Offering of Guidance and Counselling in Career Choice of Secondary School 7-8
2.5 Main Competency Area of School Guidance and Counselling Programme in Career Choice 8-9
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design 10
3.2 Population for the study 10
3.3 Sample and Sampling Technique 10-11
3.4 Research Instrument 11
3.5 Validation of Instrument 11
3.6 Reliability of the Instrument 11
3.7 Method of Data Collection 11-12
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 12
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.2 Data Presentation 13-16
4.3 Discussion of Findings 16-17
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 18
5.2 Conclusion 18
5.3 Recommendations 19
References 20

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCATION

1.1 Background to the Study

Guidance is defined as a process of helping normal individual to understand themselves and their

world. Guidance is also defined as a process of helping individuals discover and develop their

educational vocational and psychological potentialities, in order to achieved optimal happiness

and usefulness. Guidance is an integral part of education that focuses on the individual, his today

and tomorrow, demission that determine his life patterns and goals.

Counselling is a learning process where a person learns about himself his interpersonal

relationships and behavior that advance his personal development. Counselling focuses on

discussing and understanding the problem at hand. In counseling, an individual is given the right

decision concerning the issue at hand.

Guidance and Counselling is becoming on harassingly important programs in Nigeria secondary

school as it assist student to handle day-today psychological and social problems arising from

their transition from childhood and adulthood and from certain level of education to another.

The guidance and counseling profession started in United States of America during The Great

Depression of 1929. It began as means of marching workers and jobs due to increased diversity

of occupation and lack of jobs, a situation similar to what is happening in Nigeria today.

Students’ problem, which require guidance and counselling interventions, are mainly in

academic, career and personal domains

The guidance and counseling program in senior secondary schools is thus expected to assist

student to develop competencies necessary to overcome academic career and personal problem.

The Nigeria government has long recognized the need for school guidance and counseling.

Career choice is the process of decision making about what occupation one should pursue in the

midst of several other alternatives. Career decision is one many important choice student will

1
make in determining their future plan and thus decision will impact on them throughout their

laves (Borchert 2002) it is the open work alternative available for a lasting life style (Hewitt,

2010) in addition Michaed (2002) noted that courser choice is a process that allows for the

exploration of vocational academics, and sociological endeavor. To gratify individual financial

and education goals, it has to do with selection of vocations in a manner that enable one to meet

personal goals. Career choice involves the choice of elective subject course of specialization and

subsequent (Kazi and Akha, 2017)

Subsequent educations report of 2001 has recommended the strengthening and improvement of

the programme to make it more effective. The report of the National committee on education

objectives and policies recommended the provision of resource need for the expansion of the

guidance and counseling programme services in schools. The committee recommended further

that career guidance should be given greater priority and be developed in a manner consistent

with national needs. The 2001 report of working party on education and manpower training

recommended the decentralization of the programme in district level and the establishment of the

course in school and senior teachers to be in charge. The commission of inquiry into the

education system of Nigeria recommended establishment of peer counselling service in all

education and training institution in the country and that the guidance and counseling services be

offered by professionally trained and mature teacher.

In support of these recommendations, the report of the task force on student discipline and unrest

to secondary schools recommended initiation and training of peer counsellors and the teacher

counsellors in every school.

(G.O.K, 2001).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Although guidance and counseling programmer in schools was established to assist student to

overcome academic career and personal challenges, there are indications that carrier choice

2
especially among secondary school student has become an issue of great concern as many of

these students graduated secondary school without a distinctive career they wish to pursue.

The question that comes to the researchers is: has school guidance and counseling programme

been effective in enhancing student academic and career choice? This study is therefore set to

investigate the effectiveness of guidance and counseling programme in secondary school in

Argungu Local Government Area Kebbi State Nigeria

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of guidance and counseling programme

in enhancing career choice among secondary school student in Argungu Local Government Area

Kebbi State. Specifically, the study was guided by the following objectives:

1. To determine the influence of career counseling on secondary school students’ career

choices.

2. Determine the availability of guidance and counseling officers in secondary schools in

Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

1.4 Research Questions

The study sought to answer the following question:

1. How does Guidance and Counselling service influence student career choice in senior

secondary school in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State?

2. How available are guidance and counseling officers in secondary schools in Argungu

Local Government Area of Kebbi State?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study has provided data that may enlighten secondary schools stakeholders on the significant

role that school guidance and counseling programme has had on student career choice. The

finding of this study may act as a useful indicator to education officials at ministry of education,

3
parent teacher counselors, school manager and other interested parties of education of the critical

mission of guidance and counseling programmer is serving in Nigerian secondary school.

The result could also provide a basis for reviewing guidance and counseling programme in

secondary school and a methodological basis for future research on influence of guidance and

counseling programmer on student career.

The result from the study may encourage and motivate teacher to give more support to the

guidance and counseling programme in secondary school. This in term may lead to improved

guidance and counseling service which might result in enhancing career choices of senior

secondary schools.

The school may use the finding to improve on provisions of guidance and counseling services

particularly on students’ career choice. They may also use to the result to strengthen their

guidance and counseling programme especially on career areas.

Based on the finding, this study developed recommendations to increase the effectiveness of

secondary school career and personal guidance and counseling programmes

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study was confined to public secondary school within Argungu Local Government.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

For the purpose of this study, the following terms were operationally defined as follow:

Counselling: Is the process of helping student(s) to select a career of choices.

Guidance: This is the process of giving the necessary information regarded different career

available to the students and putting them on the track of achieving the career of their choices

Guidance and counselling programme: This refers to a range of activities, services, strategies

and intervention used to assist student (s) to choose a career

Effectiveness: In this study refers to the ability of guidance and counseling program to help
secondary school student select the career and work towards its fulfillment.
Public Schools: Are schools run by the government.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

The chapter presents literature on historical development of guidance and counseling in the career choice

of world, development of guidance and counseling programmer in Nigeria, the guidance and counseling

in secondary school and main competency areas of school guidance and counseling programmer.

2.2 Historical Development of Guidance and Counselling in career Choice in World

Guidance and Counselling is a professional discipline concerned with providing assistive information to

individual for their proper adjustment and adaptation in coping with social and psychological issues of

life. Through distinct learning, the two twin terms are usually used side by side. They both involve

assisting an individual with appropriate information to make their own decision in adjusting to situations.

Career choice has informally existed in almost any part of the career choice where civilization existed.

The Wikipedia (n.d) highlights that counseling and guidance principles began in Ancients Greece and

Rome with the philosophical teachings of Plato and Aristotle, when the religious organization, especially

Christianity began to grow in the Middle Ages, guidance and counseling began to be practiced by

religious leaders.

Career choice is the process of decision making about what occupation are should pursuer in the midst

several other alternatives. Career decision in one of many in portrait choices student will make in

determining their culture plans and this decision will impact on them throughout their lives (Borchet

2002). It is the open work alternative claimable for a lasting life style (Heunitt 2010). In addition Micheel

(2002) noted that career choice is a process that allows for the exploration of vocational academic and

sociological endeavors’ to gratify individual, financial and educational goals. It has to do with selection

of vocation in a manner that enables one to meet choice goals.

5
2.3 Development of Guidance and Counselling Programme Career Choice in Nigeria

According to the commission of inquiry into the education system of Nigeria guidance and counseling

units was created in the ministry of education in 1970 and 2001. The accumulated goals of the guidance

and counseling programmer in Nigeria were as follow:

1. Provision of advice on career information on employment opportunities and aptitude lasting (the

Nigeria Education Reports (2001) & presidential working party on the establishment of a second

university 2001)

2. Cultivation of positive work ethic and management on time (the respect of the working party on

education and manpower training for the next decade and beyond 2001.)

3. Counseling student infected and affected by HIV/AIDs ( the commission of inquiry into the

education system of Nigeria 2001)

4. Counseling student with disruptive behaviors (the task force on student discipline and unrest in

secondary school 2001)

5. Assisting student appreciate their role as workers and in development of the right attitude towards

discipline (the report of the working party on education and manpower training for the next

decade and beyond 2001)

6. Motivating youth to express the desire to protect themselves against HIV/AIDs (the commission

of inquiry into the education system of Nigeria 2001)

7. Provision of a strong foundation on more value (the task force as student discipline and unrest in

secondary school 2001)

8. Early identification of gifted and talented children and provision of special programmes to hasten

development of their special gifts and talents (the report of the working party in education and

manpower training for the next decade and beyond 2001).

These chronological goals aim at equipping student with the competences needed to optimize career

choice potentialities. They are in agreement with the report of the national commission of education

6
objectives and policies when had poised the need to offer education in Nigeria that incorporate career

skills, adaptive skills, attitudinal attributes to avoid the emphasis in only career skills that has bred the

white-collar mentality among the youth. This is because Nigeria in among the few African countries that

by 1980s had included guidance and counseling programme in their education system (Biswalo, 2003). In

effect, the report of the task force on student discipline and unrest in secondary school (2001)

recommends that the ministry of education appoint teacher counsellors services. This recommendation

has been implemented by the commission inquiry into the education system of Nigeria further

emphasized the need for guidance and counseling services in all educational and training institution. The

commission noted that all teacher trainees undertake guidance and counseling course as a requirement.

2.4 Rationale for Offering Guidance and Counselling In Career Choice of Secondary School

Career choice is one of the biggest dilemma and challenge in any student life. It involves interplay of

many factors which are intricately interlined. It is not a straight forward task and involves a difficult

process of decision making. According to Bandura, Bananell, Caprara and Pastoreh (2001) an individual

environment talents skills and academic achievement exert and influence on career choice. In case of a

wrong choice, it may lead to resultant failure and disappointment

Researchers show home schools and the society set up influence an individual career choice. Financial

prospects influence the career choice of men as they have to meet household expenses where women

show more concern for values and utility (Kazi &Akhiat 2007). Other factors such an aptitude life

circumstances and academic achievement have also been proven as determinants of career choice (Ferry,

2006). Every student at a certain future in their life has to make a choice regarding their career (Nigeria

Sampan 2003). Students make crucial decision at a stage when they may not be fully informed of their

choice, or else unavoidable circumstance prevent them from pursuing their goals (Kazi & Akwaq 2017).

Thus counseling can play a positive role in guiding them to make informed choice. Being interested in a

particular profession is very important in decision making. If a student is forced into a career, he may

exhibit low self-esteem and poor performance. Suntari (2003) reports that several studies have indicated

7
positive relationships between interest and career choice, it has also been investigated that individual with

better academic performance are able to make better judgment about themselves (Arthur & Rousseaud

1996). Herbart (2005) opines that a child coming from an environment where he/she receive parental

support and lives harmoniously is more likely to be dictated by them. In such a scenario, a child

occupational aspiration is most likely to be influenced by the parents’ profession. In this analysis, Watts

(1996) concluded that developing countries direct the students into career according to the country needs.

2.5 Main Competency Area of School Guidance and Counselling Programme in Career Choice

Student problems which require career choices are usually education career, vocational career, economic

and social choice. In this study, there problem areas are summarized as academic career choice area

which students are expected to obtain and demonstrate the stated choice as a result of participating in the

careers choice activities and services.

Career choice are the requisite abilities, capacities, skills, knowledge, value and attitudes essential to

enable a student to identify, choose, achieve and derive maximum benefits from a profession to the

satisfaction of both the individual and his/her society. Successful career choice precede planned and wise

subject choice as well as assessment of personal interest, capacity, attitude, value and prior knowledge of

various available occupation and dynamic of the job markets.

Career choice in school has not influenced the student career choice since career aspiration for more

students are not commensurate with their academic abilities, interest, attitudes and personalities Similarly

Mwau (2001) espoused that the average Nigeria walkers levels the relevant work ethic required to be

employed outside Nigeria. The literature reviewed found no current studies in Nigeria on the influences

of career choice in student career choice.

Further support at effective influences of career choice strategies on career came from findings

established by Bluesmen in (1997). They noted that career interventions in school have an effect even in

later years school-to-work transition for work bound youth. The results showed that job satisfaction in

young adulthood was strongly connected to student experienced with school come in light school and

8
with their current job and career situation. Another support was that of the national occupational

information co-coordinating committee (1989) in the United States of America which inculcated that

student involved in career information project had several positive outcomes, self-awareness and self-

esteemed. The participants also reported increased motivation to pursue education, use career and job

search skills information increased knowledge between school subject and training needed for specific

jobs. The student become aware of potential employs in industry and business.

9
 CHAPTER THREE

RESEACH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

The research design adopted for this study is descriptive survey research design. This is in agreement

with the submission of Shu’aibu, et. al., (2010) who opined that if a research involved gathering

information from population that is large, which eventually may become impossible for the researcher to

study all the population, descriptive survey designed should be a adopted. This will enable the researcher

to generate information from representative sample of the larger population so as to draw conclusions

that are valid. Thus in this study, only a part of the population was studied regarding home background

influence an career choice of students in secondary schools in Argungu. The findings from this study can

be generalized to the entire population.

3.2 Population of the Study

The population of the study consisted of 2,975 students in five (5) public secondary schools in Argungu

Metropolis. This show in table 3.1

Table 3.1: Population of the Study

S/N Government Secondary Schools Population Sample size%
Male Female
1. Emir Muhammad Mera - 223 7.3%
2. Kanta College Argungu - 682 22.9%
3. Comprehensive Secondary School 913 - 30.7%
4. Sama Secondary School 922 - 3.1
5. Government Arabic and Islamic - 235 7.9
Secondary School
Total 2,975 100

The target populations for this study include senior secondary schools 1, 2, and 3 (SSI, SSII and SSIII)

3.3 Sample and Sampling Procedures

From the total population of 2,975 student the researcher sampled total of 353 respondents from 4 out of

5 public secondary schools in the study area which ware used for this study. This sample size was

obtained using Solvins formula for estimating population proportion in a study.

n=N/ (1+Ne2) where

10
n= is the sample size needed

N= is the population size that is 2,975 responded

e2= is the margin of error (that is e- 0.05) at 95% confidence level

The study adopted a simple radon sampling technique is selecting its respondents. This is to offer every

respondent an equal chance of representation.

3.4 Research Instrument

Questionnaire is the instrument employed for generating data in this research. The questionnaire was

designed by the researchers to assess the effectiveness of guidance and counseling programme and career

choice. A modified likert scale with strongly Agree (SA) Agree (A) Disagree (D) and strongly Agree

(SA) Strongly Agree (SA) was assigned 4 points Agree (A) was assigned 3 point Disagree (D) was

assigned 2 point and Strongly Disagree (SD) was assigned 1 point respectively.

3.5 Validation of Research Instrument

The Instrument for this research was validated by experts in the field of guidance and counseling and

measurement, Test and evaluation, who assessed the comprehensiveness adequacy and clarity of the

items. This is done to ensure that the instrument is appropriate to the intended population and in line with

the purpose of the study. Corrections and suggestion raised following adequate validation of the

questionnaire by these experts was effected accordingly before the scale was finally drafted.

3.6 Reliability of the Study

To determine the reliability of instrument that was used in this research, a pilot study was conducted

using 20 student from a secondary schools within the study area which was not part of the sample schools

Cronbach Alpha reliability test tool was used and a reliability value coefficient of 0.75 was obtained

which showed that the instrument was reliable.

3.7 Method of Data Collection

The data for this study was collected through administration of research instrument with the help of the

letter of introduction. The researchers approached the school authorities and sought for permission to

11
carry out research in the schools. On receiving the permission through the vice-principal academic, the

researchers address a gathering of students on the mission of their visitation and how they can possibly

help to generate the needed information. The researchers processed to sample students. The

questionnaire was administered to the sample returned to filled questionnaire later in the day.

3.8 Method of Data Analysis

The data collected from administering the instrument was analysed using descriptive and inferential

statistics. Responses from the research question were statistically analysed using frequency count, mean

and standard deviation and T- test was used to test the hypotheses. Four point rating scale of strongly

Agree (SA) =4 point Agree (A = 3 points) were used to weight response for all the items in the

questionnaire. Each category in the rating scale was summed and tabulate as frequency (F) The frequency

for each category (N) in the rating scale was multiplied by the number of point allocated to each rating

scale. The sum of the scores was divided by the sum of frequency from each category (∑N) to obtain the

mean score ( x ). The sum total of the mean score obtained was divided by the number of mean scores to

generate the ground mean

Mean =∑X

Meanwhile, on mean response of between 2.5 and above was regarded as agreement. On the other side

the mean response at below 2.5 was regarded as disagreement.

12
 CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTAION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Analysis of Biographic/Demographic

Table 4.1 Sex Composition of Senior Secondary School Students in Argungu Secondary Schools
Gender N %
Males 190 53.8
Female 163 46.2
Total 353 100
From the above table 4.1, it can be seen that out of the total sample students 353 190 where male students

represented 53.8 and 163 where females student representing 46.2%

Table 4.2 Distribution of Senior Secondary School Students in Argungu secondary school
according to class
Class N %
SS I 113s 32
SS II 125 35
SS III 115 32.5
TOTAL 353 100
Table 4.2 shows the distribution of students according to classes. Therefore it can be seen that out of the

total sample student 353, 113 students representing 32% were in SS I and 125 students representing 35%

were in SS II and 115 students representing 32.5% were in SS III.

Table 4.3 career choice of Senior Secondary Student in Argungu Secondary School
Career N %
Doctor/Nurse 56 15.8%
Scientist 38 10.7%
Teacher 36 10.2%
Business 33 9.9%
Politician 44 12.5%
Engineer 33 9.3%
Architect 38 10.8%
Soldier 37 10,5%
Lawyer 36 10.2%
Total 353 100
Table 4.3 show career choice of Students in Argungu Secondary School, out of the total sample students

353, 56 students representing15.8% chose doctor/nurse and 380 students representing 10.7% chose

scientist, 36 students representing 10.2% want to be teacher, 35 representing 9.9% want to be business

man/women 44 students representing 12.5% want to be politician 33 students representing 9.3% want to

13
be engineer 38 students representing 10.5% want to be architect 37 students representing 10.5% want to

be soldier and 36 students representing 10.2% want to be lawyers

Table 4.4 Distribution of guidance and counseling on career choice according to level of Education
Qualification N %
Degree Bsc./M.Sc./PhD 100 28.3%
Some Degree HND/ND/NCE 80 22.7%
Secondary 70 19.8%
Some secondary JSS 53 15.0%
Primary 50 14.2%
Total 353 100%
Table 4.4 shows the distribution of guidance and counseling on career choice to level of education.

Specifically 100 guidance and counseling representing 28.3% has either BSc. or MSc. or Phd. and 80

guidance and counseling representing 22.7% has either degree of either ND or NCE or HND and 70

guidance and counseling representing 19.8% where to Secondary and 5.3 guidance and counseling

representing 15.0% went to Secondary and 50 guidance and counseling representing 14.2% went to

primary.

4.2 Answers to Research Questions

4.2.1 Answering the Research Questions

RQ 1: To what extent do guidance and counselling influence the career choice of students in St.

Dominic’s secondary school in Birnin-Kebbi?

Table 4.5: Mean and Standard Deviation of Students’ Responses on the Influence of guidance and
counseling on secondary school students’ Career Choices
S/N ITEMS N (X ) SD Decision
1 My guidance and counseling attainment affects my choice 353 2.7 1.30 Agree
of career
2 My knowledge of guidance and counseling provided me on 353 2.8 1.27 Agree
which careers would be best for me
3 Watching my education gave me confidence in choosing 353 3.0 1.08 Agree
my career
4 My knowledge of guidance and counseling encourage me 353 3.3 1.02 Agree
to choose occupation according to my intellectual ability

5 My guidance and counseling background does not affect 353 3.3 0.94 Agree
my choice of career

Grand Mean 3.02

14
Decision Mean = 2.5

Table 4.6 shows the mean scores and standard deviation of responses of students in Argungu secondary

schools, on the influence of guidance and counseling on their career choices. The table reveals a mean

score of 2.7 with a standard deviation of 1.30 on the first item that says “my guidance and counseling

attainment affects my choice of career”. Equally, the second item which says “my knowledge of guidance

and counseling provided me on which careers would be best for me” obtained a mean score of 2.8 with a

standard deviation of 1.27. The third item which says “watching my education gave me confidence in

choosing my career” revealed a mean score of 3.0 with standard deviation of 1.08. In the same way the

fourth item, which says “my knowledge of guidance and counseling encourage me to choose occupation

according to my intellectual ability” had obtained a mean score of 3.3 with a standard deviation of 1.02.

The fifth item which reads “my guidance and counseling background does not affect my choice of

career” has a mean score of 3.3 with a standard deviation of .09. Generally speaking, table 4.6 presented

a grand means scores of 3.02 which is far above the decision mean of 2.5. This implies that parents’

educational background influenced career choices of students in Argungu secondary schools.

RQ 2: To what extent do guidance and counseling influence career choice occupation of students in
Argungu secondary school?
Table 4.6: Mean Scores and Standard Deviation of Students’ Responses on the availability of
guidance and counseling officers in secondary schools in Argungu Local Government
S/N ITEMS N X SD Decision
1 There is guidance and counselling section in my school 353 2.9 1.15 Agree
2 My school do occasionally organized guidance and 353 2.5 1.09 Agree
counselling programme for students
3 There are guidance and counseling officers in my school 353 2.5 1.06 Agree
4 My school guidance and counselling officers are 353 2.3 0.91 Disagree
professional counsellors

5 Teachers in my school do attend guidance and counseling 353 2.5 1.06 Agree
seminars and workshops

6 Availability of guidance and counseling officers in my 353 3.2 1.00 Agree

school plays a significant role in my choice of career

Grand Mean 2.7 Agree

15
Decision Mean = 2.5

In line with research question two, the result in table 4.7 revealed the mean scores and standard deviation

of Argungu secondary schools students’ responses on availability of guidance and counseling officers in

secondary schools in Argungu Local Government. The data analyses indicated a mean score of 2.9 and

standard deviation of 1.15 on item one, which says “there is guidance and counselling section in my

school”. With a mean score of 2.5 and standard deviation of 1.09 on item two, students equally revealed

that their schools do occasionally organized guidance and counselling programme for students. Also,

with the mean score of 2.5 and standard deviation of 1.06 on item three, students agreed that there are

guidance and counseling officers in their schools. However, based on the mean score of 2.3 and standard

deviation of 0.91 on item four, students disagreed that their school guidance and counselling officers are

professional counsellors. On the contrary, in item five students reported that teachers in their schools do

attend guidance and counseling seminars and workshops. This is represented with the mean score of 2.5

and standard deviation of 1.06. In the same manner, students indicated with a mean score of 3.2 and

standard deviation of 1.00 on item six, that “availability of guidance and counseling officers in my school

plays a significant role in their choice of career”. Generally, the summary of the table 4.7 reveals the

grand mean score of 2.7 which is greater than the decision mean score of 2.5. This implies that majority

of the sampled students in Argungu secondary schools have agreed that there is availability of guidance

and counseling officers in secondary schools in Argungu Local Government.

4.3 Discussion of Major Findings

Responding to research question one which seek to find out the extent of the influence of guidance and

counselling on secondary school students’ career choice in secondary schools in Argungu Local

Government. Table 4.5 revealed that guidance and counselling influences career choices of in secondary

schools in Argungu Local Government. This finding is in agreement with the finding Chukwu et al.

(2022) which revealed that students consider the knowledge they acquired from guidance and counselling

while making a career choice. It also confirmed the finding of Egbo (2017), which indicated that there is

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significant influence of guidance and counselling on student’s career choice. Amani and Mkumbo (2015),

had opined that students who are well guided and counselled are always remain focused and toward self-

progress, and because they are guided by professional counsellors who are in a good position to guide

them in choosing an appropriate career. Thus, it is quite clear to affirm adequate guidance and

counselling in secondary schools provide a variety of career information and let the students discover

their career, taking into account their needs, personality and interests.

The second finding of this study was in line with research question two, which assess the availability of

guidance and counselling officers in secondary schools in Argungu Local Government. The finding

revealed that provision of professional counsellors in our secondary schools has influence on students’

career choices. Thus, this is finding is in agreement with the finding of Udoh and Sanni (2012), which

discovered that school counselling have significant influence on the career choice of secondary school

students in Uyo LGA. That is to say, students who have attained adequate counselling were more likely

to develop good career choice information, especially as school counsellor were found to have more

influence on students’ career choice than other teachers. The finding also agreed with the submission of

Amani and Mkumbo (2015), which maintained that organizing guidance and counselling programme in

schools boost the morale for secondary school students’ career choice in Tanzania.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

The findings from this study include:

1. It was discovered that guidance and counselling has influence on the career choices of students in

secondary schools in Argungu Local Government. This represented with a grand means scores of

3.02 which is far above the decision mean of 2.5. This implies that most of the students have

agreed that guidance and counselling is better able to provide needed assistance to the students in

career choice and way to pursue it.

2. It was revealed that there is availability of guidance and counselling officers in secondary schools

in Argungu Local Government. This represented with the grand mean score of 2.7 which is

greater than the decision mean score of 2.5. This indicated that majority of the students in

secondary schools in Argungu Local Government have agreed that there is availability of

guidance and counselling officers In their schools and this has played a significant role in their

career choices.

5.2 Conclusion

Based on the findings from the analysis of the data collected for this study, the researchers concludes that

guidance and counselling influence is a key factor in career-related decisions of in secondary schools in

Argungu Local Government. Although, the guidance and counselling officers available in many schools

are not professional, the students confirmed that there is availability of guidance and counselling officers

who always give them knowledge on career choice.

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5.3 Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were given:

1. Considering the influence of guidance and counselling on career choice of secondary school

students in Argungu Local Government, school administrators are encourage to always organize

guidance and counselling programmes for students as this will provide them adequate information

and guide them in making intelligent career decisions.

2. Considering the availability of guidance and counselling officers, there is need for government

and educational administrators in the state to employ professionals in various secondary school

across the state and particularly in Argungu Local Government, as well, it also recommended that

school administrators should always seek for guidance and counselling assistance from experts in

the field of educational guidance and counelling as this will help students in Argungu secondary

school to make positive and realistic career choices for sustainability.

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