Formal mentoring initiative as a likely panacea to students’ maladaptive behaviour

Abstract

The concept of formal mentoring may be new to this part of the world, but this paper shows its far reaching effect. Mentoring is a developmental, caring, sharing and helping relationship where one person invests time, know how, and effort in enhancing another person’s growth, knowledge and skills, and responds to critical needs in the life of that person in ways that prepare the individual for greater productivity and achievement in life. This paper examined the problem of maladaptive behaviour in Nigeria Secondary Schools and opined that this may likely be corrected by putting in place mentoring initiatives. The initiation of formal mentoring programme would increase the number of capable hands to help guide, advice, coach, support and act as positive role models to these students. Finally, this article examined the benefits of mentoring to include the improvement of self confidence and self-esteem, which can in turn help solve students’ maladaptive behaviour.

Key Words: Formal mentoring initiative, panacea, students,
maladaptive behaviour