CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

Guidance and counseling services in primary schools play a crucial role in shaping students' emotional, social, and academic well-being. However, their implementation faces various challenges that may affect the effectiveness of these services. This study aims to identify the key challenges encountered by Guidance and Counseling Teachers in providing guidance and counseling services in primary schools. One of the identified challenges is the stigma associated with counseling, as society still perceives counseling negatively, causing students to be reluctant to seek help. Additionally, school administration plays a significant role in influencing the effectiveness of these services, as a lack of supportive leadership can limit the duties and roles of Guidance and Counseling Teachers. The expectation that guidance and counseling services function merely as a supplementary element also poses a challenge in delivering more comprehensive interventions. Furthermore, the counseling training curriculum remains generic and lacks emphasis on the actual needs of primary schools, restricting Guidance and Counseling Teachers's ability to address student issues effectively. Lastly, the competence and professionalism of Guidance and Counseling Teachers are also a challenge, as not all teachers possess adequate skills to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Therefore, understanding these challenges is essential for developing improvement strategies to strengthen guidance and counseling services in primary schools.