Examining the Skills Acquired by School Counsellors During Training and its Influence on Their Practice in Selected Secondary Schools of the Mezam and Mfoundi Divisions of the North West and Center Regions of Cameroon

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the skills acquired by school counsellors during training and its influence on their practice in selected secondary schools of the Mezam and Mfoundi Divisions of the North West and Center Regions of Cameroon. The concurrent nested mixed-method research design was used in conducting this study. To collect quantitative data, the descriptive survey design with the aid of a questionnaire made up of closed-ended items was used. Qualitative data was collected through the phenomenological approach with the aid of an interview guide made up of open-ended questions. The sample was made up of 249 randomly selected school counsellors of the Mezam and Mfoundi Divisions. In data processing, a predesigned EpiData Version 3.1 database which has in-built consistency and validation checks was used to enter the data. Further consistency, data range and validation checks were also performed in SPSS version 25 to identify invalid codes. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools; frequency counts, graphs, percentages and the Pearson test were used to test hypotheses. Thematic analysis with the aid of themes and quotations was used for qualitative data. The findings indicated that: There was a significant, positive and strong impact between skills acquired during training and practice (R-value=0.621**, P-value=0.000<0.05). The implications of these findings are that the quality of training being offered to student counsellors in training institutions in Cameroon be improved. It was therefore recommended that:  School counsellors should be trained to be multiskilled and provided with a variety of services for an ever-expanding client population.  The job of a school counsellor in contemporary times has been very demanding and as such, training needs to be of high standard to empower the counsellors to effectively address the various situations on the field. Conclusively, the skills acquired by school counsellors during training influence their practice.