A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES EFFECT ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

Background to the study

Since the Nigeria Republic's independence from colonial rule, numerous positive advances have occurred, both in the structure and operation of society, with the educational system being no exception. In Nigeria, the educational system appears to be undergoing a never-ending overhaul. "As the reformation progresses," it is unsurprising that not only children and parents, but also educational authorities, are becoming perplexed and unsure how to deal with the need to make choices in an increasingly complex educational system. One of the most critical needs of Nigerian education is to monitor our kids' academic performance in order to maintain a quality and well-functioning society.

Cumulative GPA and completion of educational degrees such as High School and Bachelor's degrees represent academic success, which is the extent to which a student, instructor, or institution has accomplished their short or long-term educational goals. It can also refer to a child's academic success and performance, which can be measured using grade point averages, a cluster of achievement tests, or specific tests for reading or arithmetic skills, such as reading speed, fluency, and comprehension, and the ability to solve logical/arithmetic problems (Joseph , Karol , Peter and Marek , 2016). There is widespread concern in countries such as Nigeria about how poorly children perform on tests in mathematics, reading, and science. Every nation's future is dependent on citizens who understand how to engage in the democratic process and are educated and equipped for the labor market. As a result, academic procedures that are well-seasoned with professional Guidance and Counseling services as early as feasible at every stage of academic activity are required. According to studies, the financial commitment of private secondary schools to education does not boost pupils' performance on achievement exams per se. What really important is the quality of instruction, not the amount of school equipment and facilities. As a result, experienced instructors must familiarize themselves with the real components of academic success, which include: Africa's Current Academic Performance According to Olu Adenipekun (2017), Head of National Office of the West African Examination Council, WAEC, declared a 7% increase in the number of applicants who completed the examination with five credits. Last year, 52.9 percent of the contenders achieved the feat. In 2017, the figure increased to 59.22 percent of the 1,559,662 students who took the exam. He stated that 923,486 of the 1,559,162 candidates who took the exam received a minimum of five credits or higher, including English Language and Mathematics. In a detailed breakdown of the results, the WAEC head stated that 1,084,214 applicants, or 69.94%, received credits or above in six disciplines. The issue is, what element may be accountable for such a percentage increase? Could this be related to the effects of guidance and counseling, which governments prefer to promote in the majority of secondary schools? If this is the case, counseling becomes a necessity for improved academic performance. As a result, these questions necessitate an examination of the purpose and availability of G&C services that may be responsible for or contribute to the current Nigerians' WAEC results. As a result, there is a need to consider the purpose of G&C as well as its visible effects on students' academic performance.

Purpose of Guidance and Counseling

1.Provide necessary information and assistance

2.Assisting individuals in making sound decisions

3.Improve self-awareness 4.Assist in the adjustment

5.Aids in adapting to changes or a new environment 6.Promotes self-sufficiency and independence Making the most use of one's strengths and talents

6.Promote the best possible personal and professional growth

7.Physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual development that is well-balanced

8.Aids in overall development and living a productive life.

Guidance and Counseling has recently recorded numerous accomplishments such as assisting in academic growth and development, vocational & professional maturity, facilitating individuals in the right education & profession, providing assistance in dealing with educational & professional situations, assisting in the proper utilization of human resources, and adapting to the changing concept of education. Also, in preparing to adjust to changing professional settings and growing obstacles, as well as in selecting the best career decision with the least amount of indiscipline. According to the results of the researchers, high-quality counseling services can have long-term impacts on a child's well-being, including academic achievement, and can prevent a student from turning to violence or drug or alcohol addiction habits. High-quality school counseling services can also help a student's academic performance. Existing research on the impacts of school counseling has found that it improves student grades, reduces classroom disturbances, and improves instructors' capacity to control classroom conduct efficiently. Similarly, high-quality school counseling programs can assist in meeting the mental health requirements of students." (Department of Education of the United States, 2002) As a result, school guidance programs are not only necessary but also critical in order to assist students in overcoming the numerous challenges they experience at home and at school. This would allow them to produce positive results in their academic achievement or performances. Guidance is a basic ingredient that plays an important role in the school system by insisting on upholding students' social and moral values, suppressing, controlling, and redirecting behavior. As a result, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the influence of Guidance and Counseling on academic performance of public secondary school students in the Ilishan Remo Area of Ogun State, Nigeria.