Role of Human and Physical Materials in Enhancing Guidance and Counselling Services in Nigerian Schools

Guidance and counselling, is a noble profession whose importance in the Education system of Nigeria is becoming increasingly recognized by the country’s Education planners and policy makers. it is an integral part of schooling and a lot of emphasis should be laid on its implementation to ensure that its objectives are realised. Education guidance, which is a component of guidance and counselling, is a vital activity in the education system (Ribadu, 2021). However, in a developing African country like Nigeria, there are a lot of misconceptions about what guidance and counselling stood for. To clearly understand the concept of guidance and counselling; there is need to first explain the two words “guidance†and “counselling†separately before explaining the concept of guidance and counselling. Guidance literally means to guide, inform, direct, watch over, aid and assist individuals. According to Fareo (2020), guidance enables clients to make choices which are intended to bring self-direction and adjustment. It is designed to help clients adjust meaningfully to the environment, develop the ability to set realistic goals and improve on total Education programmes. Guidance involves provision of direction or advice as in a decision or course of action, showing the way; setting and helping to drive, lead, assist, pilot and steer ideals into individuals by counselling professionals to enhance the achievement of goals (Egbo, 2015). Guidance therefore is a process of helping individuals to understand themselves and their world. It is developmental in nature, the individual is assisted to understand, accept and use his abilities, aptitudes, interest’s attitudinal patterns in relation to his aspirations. It is an integral part of the education process where students are assisted to understand themselves, their abilities, interests and goals.