Page 228 - DEDU502_GUIDANCE_AND_COUNSELING_ENGLISH

Guidance and Counseling

Notes 7. The counsellor maintains extensive and up-to-date records concerning pupils for whom he is
responsible.
8. The secondary school counsellor spends much of his time helping students to make wise
decisions regarding college courses or jobs.
9. The secondary school counsellor aids needy students to obtain assistance.
10. All school counselors work closely with other specialized personnel.
The nature of the responsibilities of the school counsellor suggests two major roles—counseling and
consulting.
The counseling role—The counsellor directly deals with students on matters concerning emotional
problems, self-understanding, decision-making, educational and vocational planning, etc.
The consulting role—The counsellor works with teachers, parents, educational specialists and
administrators on matters involving student understanding and student management.
The teachers’ role—Several writers, such as Roeber, Smith, Erickson, Humphreys, Traxler and North
believe that teachers should be expected to perform counseling duties. Mathewson (1962) states,
“Teachers engage in appraisal of pupil characteristics, adjustment of behaviour, evaluation of
individual performance, etc., and may even undertake some individual counseling. To the extent
that these functions are performed professionally, teachers are participating in guidance practice”.
But these can only comprise a set of restricted functions of teachers. Most teachers put in considerable
effort to cater to individual differences and to assist pupils to participate in cooperative teacher-
pupil planning.
In addition to the above, teachers are expected to help in the counseling services through:
1. Studying and diagnosing children.
2. Identifying and referring pupils needing special assistance.
3. Preparing and maintaining guidance records.
4. Helping pupils develop effective study habits.
5. Contributing to pupils’ educational and vocational planning and placement.
Wrenn (1962) has summarized the following principles from the personnel point of view in education:
1. Guidance in education is given upon seeing the learner totally.
2. The philosophy of guidance axiomatically believes in the dignity and integrity of the student
and his right to self-fulfilment.
3. Guidance should assist the student’s plans for the future as well as enhance the possibility of
his living optimally in the present.
4. Guidance is the prime advocate of individual differences in school. These differences are to be
recognized, taken advantage of and provided with suitable conditions for their full expression.
5. Guidance should take advantage of the variety of methods available and choose the appropriate
one for the pupil to deal with the task on hand.
6. The quality of the relationship established between the guidance worker and the pupil and
between the guidance worker and the teacher is of importance.
7. Guidance services must form part of the central stream of the educational effort.
Self Assessment
2. State whether the following statements are ‘true’ or ‘false’.
(i) Work Experience is the student’s exposure to work in an occupation before he begins full
time job.

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