Role of counselling in academic achievement of pupils in selected secondary schools in Kabwe District, Zambia

The study investigated the role of counselling in academic achievement of pupils in selected secondary schools in Kabwe District of Zambia. The objectives of the study were; to investigate the role counselling plays in pupils' academic achievement, to determine types of counselling offered to pupils and to identify challenges hindering the provision ot counselling services. The sample size was 125 and the descriptive survey design was used. 1 he researcher used semi structured questionnaires to collect both qualitative and qualitative data from school counsellors and pupils. In addition, academic record schedule mark sheets to check if academic achievement for pupils had been improving or not after accessing counselling services were also used. The researcher distributed questionnaires to participants and thereafter collection was done after they completed answering questions and also observation was done to check the conduciveness of counselling environments in the selected secondary schools.
Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate tables and charts. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data by drawing important themes. According to the major objective of this study which was to investigate the role counseling plays in pupils' academic achievement, the findings from the participants were that counselling improves school attendance, prevents school dropout, reduces cases of indiscipline, develop effective study habits, avoid and manage risk behaviors, helps deal with academic and social problems. When counseling addresses these issues, pupils will be able to focus on their education and later their academic performance may improve.
Based on the findings of this study, a conclusion was made that counselling plays a role in academic achievement as counselling help pupils to focus on their education and later their academic performance improve.
The following recommendations were made based on the findings of the study: There is need for School Counsellors to implement all the types of counseling needed in schools; School Counselling Programmes should be strengthened in order to improve the academic performance of secondary schools in Kabwe District.