GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING PROGRAMMES AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between guidance and counselling programmes and moral development among senior secondary school students in Rivers State. The study adopted a correlational survey design. The population comprised 197,712 respondents, consisting of 6,557 teachers and 191,155 senior secondary school students in 286 public secondary schools in Rivers State. A sample of 400 respondents, comprising 60 teachers and 340 senior secondary school students, was selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using the Guidance and Counselling Programmes and Moral Development Questionnaire (GCPMDQ), structured on a four-point rating scale. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test the null hypotheses    counselling programmes and students' discipline (r = .638, p < .05), obedience to school rules and authority (r = .554, p < .05), and law-abiding behaviour (r = .624, p < .05). The study concluded that guidance and counselling programmes are significantly related to important dimensions of moral development among senior secondary school students in Rivers State. It was therefore recommended that school authorities strengthen guidance and counselling programmes, particularly activities that promote discipline, respect for school rules and authority, and responsible law-abiding behaviour among students.