COUNSELLING FOR PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper examined the role Guidance and Counselling can play in the 9-year U.B.E. programme. In doing this, the writer traced the development of various programmes in Education since independence in I960, to the UPE of 1976, the publication of a National Policy on Education in 1977, the decay in the nation's educational system which brought about the launching of Universal Basic Education in September 1999. The objectives of the 9 years the Universal Basic Education programme was highlighted. In examining the role Guidance and Counselling can play in the programme, the concepts Guidance and Counselling were defined showing what individual within the school setting can learn in counselling, the major qualities of a school counsellor and the objectives of Guidance and Counselling in the programme. The writer went on to highlight how the UBE programme's objectives can be achieved under 4 broad areas namely: educational, vocational, social and psychological domains of school activities. Activities and strategies that could ensure proper implementation of the programme were also enumerated. The conclusion was drawn by showing that all stakeholders in education have roles to play in the successful implementation of the programme. Attitudes of people should change towards counselling as a specialised area and that which only professionals can handle effectively