Counselling services rendered in the office of the dean of students at the University of Namibia

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the counselling needs of students and whether services rendered were effective. A survey of the relevant literature revealed that different students have different needs, and therefore their perceptions of problems differ. A questionnaire was designed to investigate the students’ counselling needs and was administered to 50 students who had previously utilised the services of the Counselling Centre of the University of Namibia. An examination of the results suggested that in order to meet the needs of students better, student counsellors need to be well trained. Students generally placed the Student Counselling Center amongst the resources they had utilised, but friends, parents and other family members were more often consulted. Students’ knowledge about counselling was good, and they also indicated that it is very important to have a counselling centre on campus. The results of the study also indicated that student counsellors should deal with material problems as well as emotional and academic problems. With regard to HIV/AIDS the results indicated that counselling is highly needed. In general career advice and counselling was also rated as important, although psychosocial counselling was rated higher. Specific recommendations about the services and the marketing of student counselling have been made on the basis of this study such as: _ The services of the Counselling Centre be aggressively marketed so that the students are aware of it. _ Specific attention be given to the improvement of career guidance and counselling. _ The students’ preference of friends and family for advice needs more in-depth Investigation _ Co-operation and integration of counselling services with the accommodation and primary health care clinic need to be instituted.