THE CHALLENGING ROLES OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELLOR IN THE NIGERIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE LAST FIVE DECADES. ISSUES AND CONCERN

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenging roles of the school counsellor identified for him by the National Policy on Education and various policy statements of various governments functionaries at different forums in the last five decades. In highlighting the roles, the paper examined various submissions and policy statements for the necessity and importance of guidance and counselling in the Nigeria’s educational system. Some of the various expected roles of the counsellor such as a specialist, curriculum planner, test and measurement expert were discussed. The issues at stake are the non-provision of an enabling environment for counsellors and lack of adequate and proper planning of training of would be counsellors are recognized as problems. The paper concluded by stating that genuine and honest policy has to be put in place for the programme of guidance and counselling to succeed. The paper therefore recommended among others that the bill been sponsored by the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) which is before the National Assembly be personal vigorously so the all legislation be put for counselling and practioners in Nigeria.