A NEED ASSESSMENT ON EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS OF HIGHER SECONDARY LEVEL

Abstract

This study aims to assess the necessity of educational guidance and counseling support services for male and female students at the intermediate level within the context of Pakistan. The primary objective is to underscore the importance of integrating these support services as a fundamental component of education. The study population comprised 15,000 male and female students and 700 teachers from Islamabad Model Colleges for Boys and Girls. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 300 students (equally representing urban and rural areas) and 100 teachers (balanced by gender and location). Data were collected through two structured survey questionnaires designed for students and teachers, respectively. Descriptive statistical methods, including mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, and range, were utilized for analysis via SPSS. The findings revealed that over 80% of student and teacher respondents identified a critical need for educational guidance and counseling support services for higher secondary students. The study concludes that students struggle to navigate their educational journeys effectively without proper guidance, emphasizing the role of counseling as a directional compass. It is recommended that educational guidance and counseling services be recognized as a priority by educational leaders, policymakers, and planners. These services should be systematically integrated into educational leadership, policy development, and management to better support students' academic and personal development .