Counselling approaches used in solving students’ disciplinary problems in secondary schools in Keren sub-zone, Anseba region, Eritrea

Abstract

Counselling service is new to the Eritrean education system and its implementation has not been easy. Despite counselling services being part of the educational policy and the curriculum, the use of counselling service is in its initial stages in many schools in Eritrea. This study assessed counselling approaches used in solving students’ disciplinary problems in secondary schools in Keren sub-zone, Anseba Region, Eritrea. This study adopted a mixed method research design across a target population that comprised 5 schools, 1,500 students, 100 teachers, 5 teacher counsellors and 5 head teachers. Systematic sampling and simple random and purposive sampling were used to select schools and the participants of the study. Questionnaires and interview guides were used for data collection. Data gathered through questionnaires were processed using descriptive statistical techniques involving frequencies, percentages and means. Data gathered through an interview guide were analysed and presented using quotes, themes and narrative descriptions. The results of this study show that most students (59.8%) and teachers (56.3%) reported that a combination of corporal punishment and counselling was used to handle students’ discipline. This study also found out that corporal punishment was more practiced by public schools compared to private schools. This study further found out that approaches such as individual counselling, peer counselling and group counselling were rarely used in managing students’ discipline. Moreover, mentoring and student-focused intervention were more used in Keren secondary schools in handling students discipline.

Keywords: Eritrean counselling, counselling approaches, discipline in Eritrea, counsellors, counselling in Keren