INFLUENCE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING EDUCATION ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: PERCEPTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS LECTURERS AT CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU UNIVERSITY, IGBARIAM, ANAMBRA STATE
Abstract
Guidance and counselling services are widely acknowledged as tools for supporting career development and labour market participation, yet their direct influence on economic growth remains empirically under documented in the Nigerian context. This study examined the perceived contribution of guidance and counselling education to employability-related outcomes and economic empowerment in Anambra State. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Three research questions guided the study. The target population comprised 26 Educational Foundations lecturers at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State. The entire population was used as the sample; hence, no sampling technique was employed. A structured 20-item researcher-constructed questionnaire served as the instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts from the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and its reliability was established through a pilot test analysed using Cronbach’s Alpha, which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.73. The questionnaire was administered using the direct administration method and data were analysed using mean scores on a 4-point scale, with a cut-off mean of 2.50. Findings revealed that respondents perceived guidance and counselling interventions as contributing to economic empowerment and employability through mechanisms such as career path alignment, vocational skills development, entrepreneurial mindset cultivation, and access to employment networks. The study concluded that while guidance and counselling education holds significant potential to promote economic growth, systemic challenges particularly inadequate funding and shortage of trained counsellors substantially undermine its effectiveness. It is recommended that the Anambra State Ministry of Education increase budgetary allocations to guidance and counselling units in tertiary institutions to address infrastructural and personnel deficits.
Keywords: guidance and counselling, economic growth, employability, vocational development, Anambra State
Sylvia Ugochinyere Ibe (PhD)
Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education,
School of Early Childhood Care and Primary Education, F.C.E. (T), Umunze
Onwugbufor, Eucharia Ebere (PhD)
Holy Child Convent,
Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra State
Email ezimeebere2015@gmail.com
Nwafor, Elizabeth Echezonachi
Department Early childhood and primary Education, F.C.E. (T), Umunze
Email nwaforelizabeth11@gmail.com