Globalization and the challenges of human resource development: the counsellor's factor

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenge of human resource development as it relates counseling in Nigerian schools in the face of globalization of world economy with its attendant changes in every facet of life. It traces the origin of human resource development Iin Nigeria up to the coming of the missionaries who spiritually colonized Africa and also educated their adherents. The National Policy on Education of 1997, which was a Nigerianised product, however introduced a new impetus in education vis-à-vis human resource development. The resultant 6-3-3-4 system of education was seen as a panacea for the training of marketable, self-employed individuals in technical and vocational education with guidance and counseling entrenched as the Nigerian system of education shows that counseling has taken off in most schools but counselors do not have necessary infrastructures with which to carry out their duties effectively. The paper thus advocates proper funding of guidance and counseling programmes as this will go a long way in enhancing human resource development in Nigeria. The Nigerian Journal of Guidance and Counselling Vol. 9 2004: 71-84