Perceived Influence of Personal Guidance and Counseling Services on Dropout Risk Factors in Public Secondary Schools in Mbeere North, Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Dropping out of school can predispose young people to a range of negative consequences like unemployment, crime and missed opportunities. Although proper guidance and counseling (G&C) can help students deal with common socioemotional and psychological problems, subsequently strengthening their resolve to remain in school, the dropout rate among students in Mbeere North continues to rise. This paper explores the influence of personal G&C services on the risk factors associated with dropout rate among students in public secondary schools in Mbeere North, Embu, Kenya, as perceived by the participants. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy and General Strain Theory provided the theoretical underpinning. A descriptive survey research design with a mixed methods approach was adopted. A population of 5,972, comprising 5,784 Form 2 to Form 4 students from 47 schools, 47 principals, 47 G&C teachers, and 94 Form 4 class teachers, was targeted. A sample of 375 participants was determined through Yamane’s formula. Through a systematic random technique, 15 schools were selected, while 15 principals, 15 G&C teachers, and 30 Form 4 class teachers were identified through purposive sampling. Three hundred and fifteen students were selected through a simple random procedure. Quantitative data was obtained from students through semi-structured questionnaires, with interview schedules being administered to the key informants. Descriptive statistics, constituting measures of central tendency, frequency distribution, and variability, were employed for quantitative data, while thematic content analysis was used for qualitative data. Positive perceptions of personal G&C services were linked to fewer dropout risk factors. The correlation coefficients yielded an inverse relationship between personal G&C services and school dropout risk factors (r (309) = -.16, P .003). The paper recommends that government policy should be clear across all public schools to require the implementation of personal G&C services. Therefore, personal G&C services are effective in addressing risk factors associated with school dropout among public secondary school students and should be embraced.