The role of guidance counsellor in eradicating maladjusted behaviour in Nigerian schools

Abstract

The trend of maladjusted behaviour is on the increase in the society and thereby become worrisome phenomenon especially among stakeholders in the education industry. This paper therefore examined the role of guidance counsellor in eradicating maladjusted behaviour in Nigeria schools. It presented discussion on causes forms and consequences of maladjusted behaviour in school was examined. Major causes of maladjusted behaviour include family background, school and society while the forms of maladjusted behaviour include nagging, truancy, aggression, and academic dishonesty. Maladjusted behaviour has the potential of causing school dropout, disruption of school academic programme, poor academic performance to mention a few. The counsellor plays prominent role in eradicating maladjusted behaviour by applying different counselling techniques which include the following: reality therapy, cognitive restructuring, modelling and career information. It was recommended that government should empower guidance counsellors by providing capacity building opportunity for them at both primary and secondary schools and government should equally employ enough guidance personnel and provide facilities for ease operation.