The Contribution Of Guidance And Counselling Services In The Prevention Of Early Marriages Among Primary School Pupils In Mtwara Municipality

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the contribution of guidance and counselling services in the

prevention of early marriages among primary school pupils in Mtwara Municipality.

Samples of respondents were obtained through simple random sampling and

purposive sampling where a total of 90 participants were sampled. This sample

consisted of 50 pupils, 20 teachers and 20 parents. Pupils and teachers were all from

Public primary schools from Mtwara, Southern part of Tanzania. The study

employed case study using qualitative approach. Study findings were generated

through semi –structured interviews, open ended questionnaires and documentary

review. Kurt Lewin‟s change theory was adopted as a guiding post for conducting

the study.

The findings suggested that there is an irregular provision of guidance and

counselling services in public primary schools, insisting on academic and discipline

issues. However, the major problems hindering the quality provision of guidance and

counselling services are lack of experts or trained teachers, poor integration of

guidance and counseling service into the curriculum, absence of aids in guidance and

counseling services, traditional customs and pressure from politicians. For enhancing

an effective provision of guidance and counseling services, the study suggests

integration of guidance and counselling services into the school curriculum, capacity

building for teachers, provision of aids in guidance and counseling services, regular

provision of guidance and counselling and access to education.

Based on the findings, the study concludes that effective guidance and counseling

services have a great contribution towards the prevention of early marriages. The

current study, therefore recommends the improvement of the provision of guidance

and counselling services in schools. Guidance and counseling helps to brighten the

lives of many youths, as it promotes emotional maturity, personality development,

self-responsibility, creativity and the ability to solve problems.