The Impact of Guidance and Counselling Services on Students’ Discipline in Secondary Schools in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon

The study aimed at investigating the impact of guidance and counselling services on students’ discipline in secondary schools in Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. This study was guided by four specific research objectives. A survey research design was used with a sample size of 12 counsellors, 12 discipline masters and 174 students. A questionnaire and an interview were instruments used to collect data for the study. Two data analysis approaches were used for the study that is the qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collected from questionnaires were analyzed using correlation analysis to illustrate the relationship between the dependent and independent variables of the study, data from interviews was analyzed thematically. From the findings it was unveiled that school counsellors and discipline masters provide orientation to students which assist them to maintain a positive behaviour, with a statistically insignificant correlation (calculated ?xy -value of 0.259 > critical ?xy -value of 0.155) between orientation services and students discipline. Results indicated that school counsellors and discipline masters make use of appraisal service to improve on their past behaviours and maintain a positive behaviour, with a statistically significant correlation (calculated ?xy -value of -0.012 < critical ?xy -value of 0.155) between appraisal services and students’ discipline. Also, findings showed that counsellors refer students to other school counsellors for further counselling and that when counsellors refer students to another for counsellor or specialists with a statistically insignificant correlation (calculated ?xy -value of 0.053 < critical ?xy -value of 0.155) between referral services and students’ discipline. As per follow up services, results indicated that School counsellor’s follow-up students to ensure that they are of good behaviour with a statistically significant correlation (calculated ?xy -value of 0.273 > critical ?xy -value of 0.155) between follow up services and students’ discipline, indicating a positive correlation. It was therefore concluded that school counsellors and discipline masters offer orientation to students, do appraisal of students’ behaviour, refer students to other specialists and follow-up students and this help to ensure that students improve and maintain positive behaviour. Based on the findings it was recommended that The Ministry of Secondary Education through school principals should sensitize parents, community members and sponsors on their roles in relation to students’ discipline management especially during school holidays. Also, student inventory, bulletins on different topics, handbooks for different educational opportunities, books on social psychology, psychology magazines should be provided to the school to improve the department of guidance and counselling.