Assessment of Service Delivery in Guidance and Counselling Units in a Selected Polytechnics Schools in Rwanda

Abstract

The study intended to assess to students’ satisfaction with guidance and counseling services offered in Polytechnics schools. Specifically, the study sought to find out the student guidance and counseling services, to examine the extent of the influence of accessing guidance and counseling services on students’ school life and students ‘attitudes towards studies; to assess the level of students’ satisfaction about guidance and counseling services offered, to find out the challenges constraining effectiveness of guidance and counseling services and to identify strategies for improving guidance and counseling services provided to students. Descriptive survey research design using quantitative approach was used to generate primary data with help of a questionnaire addressed to selected students from Polytechnics schools. The target population was 50 students who have been offered guidance and counseling services during the 2021 academic year. Due to the students’ availability and their willing to participate in this study, the only 46 students were purposively selected and involved in the present study. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage tables were used to summarize and to analyze data. The study revealed different types of guidance and counseling services that are offered such as career guidance, educational issues, social relations, family problems, peer pressure, health issues and conflict resolution. Access to guidance and counseling services has encouraged students to study hard, develop in them positive attitudes towards learning, to approach exam without fear, improve class attendance, improve concentration in studying, keep them in touch with friend and family members, keep them connected to others and help improve performance. Access to guidance and counseling services has helped students appreciate my studies, think that studies are a good thing, believe that studies lead to success, do not bother about studies and like their studies. The students were satisfied with the services as the services were good. The main challenges constraining effective guidance and counseling services were lack of confidentiality, lack of time, lack of training, lack of referral material, students’ reluctant to seek help, inadequate facilities and resources. Confidentiality and advice to students, provision of faculties were among the others strategies to improve services. The study recommended that enlightening guidance and counseling service, training of counselors and constant sensitization of the students would improve guidance and counseling services.