A SURVEY OF TEENAGE PROBLEMS IN NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to examine a survey of teenage problems in Nigerian secondary schools with special reference to secondary schools in Niger State. Specifically, the study examined  examine the need for effective counseling in secondary schools. The study also determine the impact of counseling services on teenage problems in secondary schools.  Lastly, the study recommend ways of improving counseling to teenagers in secondary schools. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 30 responses were validated from the survey.  From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that the problems of teenagers in secondary schools in Niger state is learning gaps from elementary education,drug addiction, Drama with peers and Mental health disorder. Also the need for effective counseling in secondary schools are for student to be able to develop problem solving skills, provide emotional need of the student, provide behavioral need of the students and to create a seamless and friendly environment to help each one of them with different approaches. Lastly,  the impact of counseling services on teenage problems in secondary schools is that counseling has helped students take the right approach towards solving issues,counseling has helped with dealing with peer groups pressure, counseling has helped student going through changes in identity and counseling has helped students with mood swings. The study thereby recommend that counselors and public health personnel should utilize all the potentials in the  school environment to enable everyone realize that the passage from infancy to  childhood and from adolescence to adulthood is natural and should be managed with a sense of commitment. Also there should be strict supervision for secondary school student in other to reduce their indulgence  in substance abuse and other forms of vices.