Students’ perception of counselling services as their wellness intervention in public TVET institutions in Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Guidance and counseling services could be a panacea to some of the some of the issues and challenges limiting the wellbeing of students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. This research proposes to study the perceptions among TVET college students about guidance and counseling (G&C) as wellness interventions for them during their college years. The objectives of the study were to: investigate the influence of students’ perception about guidance and counselling programs on their wellness; establish the influence of students’ awareness of the need for guidance and counselling on their wellness; find out the influence of students’ access to information on their perception about counselling services and; determine the influence of students’ attitudes about G&C services on their wellness in Public TVET Institutions in Nyeri County. Based on the self-perception theory and Andersen’s behavioral model, the study adopted the descriptive survey design. Using proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques, the research sampled 286 TVET students out of a total of 19737 from the three Public TVET colleges in Nyeri County. Consequently, all the 10 teacher-counselors from these institutions were purposively sampled. Data was collected from students using self-administered questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) while the teachers were interviewed. Quantitative data from questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data from interviews and FGDs was subjected to content analysis. The instrument was tested for reliability and validity. Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha was computed for each item in the instrument. Reliability coefficients ranging between 0.78 and 0.89 were obtained. The instruments were thus found to have sufficient internal reliability of an instrument. To ensure the validity of the study instrument, the researcher got the input of seasoned researchers supervising the research as well as conducting pilot testing for it. The findings show that G&C enhanced holistic wellbeing of students in Public TVET institutions. There was a significant relationship between students wellness (the DV) and perception towards G&C Services (r= 0.949, p>0.05); awareness of counseling needs (r=0.950, p<0.05); access to information about G&C (r=0.892, p<0.05) and; students' attitude towards (r=-0.925, p<0.05. It is thus evident that students’ perceptions, awareness, access to information and attitudes affected their proclivity to seek G&C services which could go on to affect their wellness. The study recommends the need for dedicated efforts aimed at strengthening the perceptions, awareness, knowledge and attitudes of students towards guidance and counselling services in Public TVET institutions through regular sensitization on the need to seek timely G&C. This could be through awareness students on guidance and counselling needs.