INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL COUNSELLING SERVICES ON STUDENTS’ SELF-ESTEEM AND MOTIVATION IN SELECTED SCHOOLS IN BASSA LGA, PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This study examined the influence of school counselling services on students’ self-esteem and motivation in selected secondary schools in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population consisted of 1,450 senior secondary school students across six randomly selected schools. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 312 students was drawn through proportionate stratified random sampling. A self-developed questionnaire titled School Counselling, Self-Esteem and Motivation Scale (SCSEMS) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts and had a reliability coefficient of 0.81 using Cronbach Alpha. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer research questions and independent t-test to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that school counselling services significantly improved students’ self-esteem, enhanced their learning motivation, and positively affected their attitude toward schooling. The study recommended that school administrators strengthen counselling units, provide more professional