An analysis of counselling areas related to peer counselling services among public secondary school students in Meru south District, Kenya

Abstract

Peer counsellors in secondary schools are pivotal in helping students to cope with life's challenges emanating from current socioeconomic changes, technological development and educational demands among other factors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine counselling areas related to peer counselling services among secondary school students in Meru South District, Kenya with the view of enhancing peer counsellors' intervention knowledge and skills through educational programmes and facilitation workshops. The study employed the descriptive survey research design and the target population was 600 peer counsellors from the 30 secondary schools in the District. The study employed two sets of questionnaires for data collection. The findings indicated that peer counsellors frequently dealt with issues of low academic achievement, financial hardships, stress, daydreaming, peer pressure, theft and negative attitudes towards certain teachers and subjects. Hence, it was recommended that training programmes emphasize counselling skill and knowledge in the areas.