Students’ Perception on the Role of Guidance and Counselling Services on Behavior in Private Secondary Schools in Bugesera District, Rwanda

Despite availability of guidance and counselling services in many secondary schools, many students are reluctant to seek those services. Students` attitude is important in determining the uptake of guidance and counselling services. Therefore, this study sought to determine the perception of students on the role of guidance and counselling services on behavior change among students in selected private secondary schools in Bugesera District in Rwanda. The study’s objectives were: to determine students’ perception on the aims of guidance and counselling services; to examine the attitude of students towards guidance and counselling; and to interrogate the students’ perception on the role of guidance and counselling services on behavior change among students. The study was grounded on Gestalt Theory of Perception and Maslow Hierarchy of Needs. The target population was 860 students from two private secondary schools. A sample of 274 was drawn using both convenient and probability systematic sampling techniques. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. The research employed descriptive survey design. The study established that most students perceived the aims of guidance and counselling services as that of helping them improve their academic performance (84.2%); prevent early pregnancies (81.6%); provide information in making career choices (81.6%) as well as raising students’ self-esteem (79.5%). The study also revealed that the attitude of students was positive as 73.1% were willing to seek counselor’s help; 70.6% were ready to see a counselor or referred elsewhere when necessary while 70.6% were willing to be referred to see a counselor. The study revealed that most students perceived the role of guidance and counselling in behavior change as effective in reducing crimes in schools (86.2%); helping students perform better in co-curriculum activities (82%); improve students’ study habits (80.9%) as well as increases students` self-esteem (80. 9%).This implied that most students perceived the role of guidance and counselling as effective in influencing behavior change. The study recommended that the school administrators should sustain efforts to promote positive attitudes towards seeking counseling help.