Practice And Challenges Of Guidance And Counseling Services In Ambo University (West Shoa Zone Ambo

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the practices and challenges of Guidance and Counseling services in Ambo University. The study used a descriptive survey and Case study involving mainly qualitative approach. The desired Research data collected from 68 randomly selected respondents through in-depth interview to probe the issues under the study and the respondents are based on the Guidance and Counseling center office in Ambo University and the students that have a good information about the practice and challenges of Guidance and counseling Services in Ambo university was collected through personal interview, Focused group discussion and document reviews. Ambo University has officially organized office of Guidance and Counseling services center for students. The office has been providing Guidance and counseling services by the Psychologist teachers of the University since its establishment in March 2005. Further the study revealed that the office has not been functioning effectively in spite of its existence as an officially institutionalized unit. The practice of Guidance and Counseling services in Ambo University are not competent and Ambo University is not attention on the development of Guidance and counseling service practices. lack of human resources, lack of material resources and facilities, lack of support from the university stake holders, student behavior, the curriculum higher education of Guidance and Counseling office, budget, little awareness about its existence, in appropriate location of the office were identified a major challenges and obstacles of Guidance and counseling services in Ambo University. Finally, recommendations on ways of improving Guidance Counseling services where for worded.