Developing A School-Based Counselling Programme in Nigerian Schools in the 21st Century

Abstract

School-based counselling services provide assistance and information to learners so that they make better educational and career choices suitable for their developmental process. Counselling services look at the holistic development of the learner by taking into account the psycho-social, intellectual, emotional and physical aspects within the context of his environment.  Nigeria continues to undergo substantial changes in its occupational, social, and economic structures in line with the attainment of sustainable development goals. In response to these and other continuing societal and individual needs and challenges, educational -leaders and policymakers are in the midst of reforming the entire educational enterprise. Counselling services in schools have also continued to undergo reforms, changing from a position-services model to a comprehensive programme firmly grounded in principles of human growth and development. The objective of this paper was to examine how school-based counselling in Nigeria could be enhanced to ensure sustainable national development. Using the exploratory method, the paper examined the challenges and the opportunities available for school-based counselling in Nigeria. Recommendations were made in defining the way forward as regards effective the organization and utilization of school-based counselling for development in 21^st century Nigeria.