Effects of guidance and counseling on pupil academic performance in rural secondary schools in Lundazi district.

Abstract

Guidance and counseling services has become a very important section in all secondary schools in the world. Zambia should not be left behind on this and must also move forward matching changes taking place. This study was therefore exploring the effects of guidance and counseling on academic performance in rural secondary schools in Lundazi district. This was because most local studies have not been conducted in the district. The three objectives that guided the study were; to explore the effects of guidance and counseling services on academic performance in rural secondary schools, to establish the support guidance and counseling teachers receive from the schools and to ascertain the challenges affecting pupil academic in rural secondary schools. This study was conducted at four secondary schools in Lundazi district. The sample was 47 thus, 4 head teachers, 4 guidance teachers and 39 pupils. The questionnaires were used to collect data from all the secondary schools. The study concluded that guidance and counseling is present and effective in all the four secondary schools. But there are other factors which its effects are beyond the guidance and guidance and cause poor academic performance in schools. The study recommended that the school, community and government should work together to help solve problems to improve academic performance.