INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
With the introduction of the new national policy on education in 1977, guidance and counseling became an important issue in our schools system. Since then, guidance and counseling has been a regular topic in our dailies conferences and seminars. For example, Nnadi (1984). Stressed its importance in our educational system and the priority that should be given to it in out schools because of its usefulness in transition in the various stages of education. Also, Nwabuisi (1984), emphasized on the necessity of proper guidance programme in schools if the current national policy on education is to have the desired impact. Perhaps, Durojaiye's (1972), Stand on the issue of guidance and counseling in our schools was one of the factors that influenced the formulation of the aspect of the new national policy on education that deals with guidance programme in schools today. Taking into consideration, our rapid educational and economic growth, he emphasized on the need for guidance and counseling in our educational policy. In his words; "We can see that the need for guidance and counseling in Nigeria becomes increasingly pressing as economic and educational strides are being made in the country. Each student needs to be helped to strengthen his abilities to make nice choices and to face problems encountered in society. Those who fall by the way side because of physical, intellectual or emotional inadequacy particularly need guidance"(p.72).
In the above statement, Durojaiye points out clearly the fact that guidance and counseling is very important in our schools as it helps students to face the challenges of life and be useful to themselves and the society in which they live.
However, granted we should emphasize the idea of guidance and counseling in schools, we must not lose sight of the fact that guidance and counseling practices