COUNSELING SERVICES AND STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS INTRODUCTORY TECHNOLOGY IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Many researchers have emphasized the importance of student attitude variables as performance predictors, indicating that student attitudes and interests may play a significant role among students studying introductory technology. Ormerod and Duckworth (2005) supported this claim by stating that student attitudes are likely to play a significant role in any adequate explanation for students’ varying levels of success in their high school science course.

To achieve adequate performance in introductory technology, the majority of Nigerian secondary schools have used a variety of strategies (Kehinde, 2001). Most students become more aggressive when forced or other punitive methods are used against them, so counseling services are the most popular.

Counseling can be defined as the act of

a counselor or other professional who counsels individuals on a variety of issues and concerns, whether in a school, hospital, or other institution (Ikeotunye 2005).

To assist students in maintaining their health and well-being, counseling services include evaluation, treatment, education, advice, and referral.

In secondary school, the primary goal of counseling is to assist students in making career decisions, subjective selection, proper placement, and good study habits.

According to the researcher, student activities such as subject mixing, lack of seriousness in studies, and substance use can lead to an incorrect career choice. Because of these concerns, students in junior secondary (JSSIII) and senior secondary (SSI) should receive extensive guidance and counseling training.

Numerous academics and authors, as well as professional organizations, international organizations, and government agencies,

Over the years, government agencies have expressed concern about the lack of guidance and counseling services in schools.

Oladele (1987), Kalu (1992), Umom (1998), Abdulkareem (2001), and Dikko (2001) established the importance of guidance programs in the Nigerian educational system.

The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Nuhu A. Yakabu, has stated that “advice and counseling should be available at the secondary school level.”

According to Yakubu (2002), “every post-primary school should have a guidance and counseling department that should host career seminars with eminent professionals as resource individuals on a regular basis.”

The United Nations Organization (UNO) accepted the UNESCO report on the need for organized secondary school guidance services, which stated that “African governments should perhaps consider providing more guidance services.”

Secondary school students’ economic, social, and cultural needs were defined. “In Africa, stronger direction than that found in Europe is more logical, because many families are incapable of making well-informed decisions about their children’s future” (UNESCO 1962).

Counseling services in junior secondary schools will help students choose subjects and develop attitudes toward various disciplines in the majority of Nigerian secondary schools (Okon, 2004). Among other subjects, introductory technology is one that the majority of students in most junior secondary schools ignore. Technology introduction is a critical topic in secondary schools.

Introduction to technology, according to Ohikhema (1994), introduces students to woodworking, metalworking, technical drawing, car mechanics, and electrical and electronics. According to Obomanu (2001), Introductory

Technology is a general education curriculum component that aims to provide students with learning experiences that help them understand industrial and technological aspects of life through instruction in metalwork, woodwork, electricity, plastics, ceramics, textiles, and technical drawing. Using Birnin Kebbi local government area of Kebbi State as a case study, the researcher intends to investigate the counseling services and attitudes of junior secondary school pupils regarding introduction technology.

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

The study was prompted by the majority of students in Kebbi State’s Birnin Kebbi local government area failing introductory technology studies. As a result, counseling services were established. The goal of secondary school guidance and counseling is to help students.

in comprehending themselves, their problems, and easily resolving them (Obomanu 2001). Despite the fact that counseling services are available in the majority of junior secondary schools in Birnin Kebbi, the researcher observed that some students continue to drop out of school and others have a casual attitude toward the study of introductory technology; others engage in drug abuse and juvenile delinquency (Okoh, 2013). This has been a major source of concern for the researcher, leading to the decision to conduct this study to determine whether counseling services truly have the intended and expected effects on students.

1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this research is to look into counseling services and students’ attitudes toward introductory technology in junior high schools. Specifically, but not exclusively

Other study objectives include, but are not limited to:

i. Determine the extent to which junior secondary schools use counseling services.

ii. To see if counseling services have an impact on students’ academic performance in junior secondary schools.

iii. Determine whether counseling services in junior secondary schools have improved students’ attitudes toward introductory technology.

iv. To investigate the impact of counseling services on junior secondary school students.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

This study will provide answers to the following questions:

i. To what extent are counseling services used in junior secondary schools?

ii. Do counselling services influence students’ academic performance in junior secondary schools?

iii. Have counseling services improved junior students’ attitudes toward introductory technology?

secondary education?

iv. How do counselling services affect students in junior secondary schools?

1.5 THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE

This study is important for students, teachers, parents, and society as a whole because its importance cannot be overstated. Students will benefit from this study if guidance and counseling teachers take an active role in assisting students in identifying and resolving personal, social, and academic difficulties.

Finally, this study will be used as additional material for future research and reference.

1.6 STUDY OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this study is to investigate counseling services and students’ attitudes toward introductory technology in junior secondary schools. The study’s specific scope, however, will be to determine the extent to which counselling services are used.

in junior secondary schools, to determine whether counselling services improve students’ academic performance in junior secondary schools, to determine whether counselling services improve students’ attitudes toward introductory technology in junior secondary schools, and to determine the impact of counselling services on students in junior secondary schools.

This study’s respondents will be teachers and students from selected secondary schools in Lafia, Nassarawa State.

1.7 THE STUDY’S LIMITATIONS

The primary goal of this study is to investigate counseling services and students’ attitudes toward introductory technology in junior secondary schools. However, the study’s specific scope will be limited in order to determine the extent to which counselling services are used in junior secondary schools and whether counselling services have an effect on students.

the academic performance of students in junior secondary schools, to determine whether counseling services improved students’ attitudes toward introductory technology in junior secondary schools, and to determine the impact of counselling services on students in junior secondary schools.

The respondents for this study will be teachers and students from selected secondary schools in Lafia, Nassarawa State; thus, the sample size was limited because only a few respondents were chosen to answer the research instrument; thus, the results cannot be generalized to other secondary schools outside the state.

The researcher also encountered some financial and logistical issues, but was able to resolve them because the study was completed successfully.

1.8 TERM DEFINITION

Counseling: The provision of professional advice and assistance in resolving problems.

 

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