Counselling as a Critical Tool in Managing Ill-Discipline in Colleges of Education in Ghana

Abstract

Ill-discipline has become a canker that threatens the moral fibre of institutions. This study aimed to explore the comprehensive counselling approaches that could be used to manage ill-discipline acts in Colleges of Education in Ghana. A qualitative discourse analysis study design was employed in the study. In all, 25 respondents were purposively selected from five colleges of education for the study using a semi-structured interview guide. Data collected were transcribed, coded, categorised and qualitatively analysed under themes that emerged from the analysis using the thematic approach. The study revealed that several ill-discipline acts exist in colleges of education, with perversion being the most prevailing ill-discipline act. The study recommended that the college council and management should put adequate measures in place to strengthen Guidance and Counselling units in the colleges of education. The study also recommended that college counsellors should be equipped to use appropriate counselling approaches and techniques to counsel students to desist from indulging in ill-discipline acts.