GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
INTRODUCTION
Ethics are a set of moral principles or rules of conduct for an individual or group. In counseling, ethics underpin the nature and course of action taken by the counselor, and others in helping professions are expected to behave ethically. Ethics including ethical codes and principles aim to balance the power and ensure that the counselor operates for the good of the client and not for self. The concept of ethics relates to moral consideration. The challenge lies in what is considered moral and ethical, therefore a code of ethics is a general standard that’s counselors and therapists adhere to and use co-jointly with legal standards to ethical dilemmas is required. Codes of ethics and laws in guidance and counseling include:
Being trustworthy-Honoring the trust placed in the practitioner also referred to as fidelity. Being trustworthy is regarded as fundamental to understanding and resolving ethical issues. Practitioners who adopt this principle act per the trust placed in them; strive to ensure that client’s expectations are met.
Autonomy –Respect for the client’s right to be self-governing. This principle emphasizes the importance of developing a client’s ability to self-directing within therapy and all aspects of life.
Beneficence-A commitment to promoting the client’s well-being. The principle of beneficence means acting in the interests of the client based on professional assessment.
Non- maleficence-A commitment to avoiding harm to the client. Non- maleficence involves; avoiding sexual, financial, emotional, or any form of client exploitation.
Justice-The fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services. The principle of justice requires being just and fair to all clients and respecting their human rights and dignity.
Self-respect –Fostering the practitioner’s self-interest and care for self. The principle of self-respect means that the practitioner appropriately applies all the above principles as entitlements for self.
Respect differences in cultural and traditions-Counsellors need to be aware of their own cultural biases and values to imposing them on their clients.
Provide equal access to opportunities and support. –Practitioners should ensure that each client in their charge has equal access to the counseling services they need.
HISTORY OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING IN KENYA
Guidance and counseling in Kenya is a relatively new profession. Formal guidance and counseling in Kenyan schools were officially recognized in 1970. The Ministry of Education (MOE) established a Guidance and counseling Unit under its inspectorate division. The unit was charged with the responsibility of dealing with educational and vocational guidance and psychological counseling in schools. This initiative was, however not well supported; hence implementation did not occur as intended.
The call for the establishment of guidance and counseling in Kenyan schools was renewed with more vigor in the 1980s and 1990s after the country witnessed the worst arson cases ever to be committed in the schools. Most notably, in 1999,17 girls were killed and 70 others raped in a boarding school. Following recommendations by human rights organizations, the government banned corporal punishment in all schools through a Legal Notice, No. 95 of the Kenya Gazette. In its place, the government recommended that guidance and counseling be established in all schools. Since then the ministry of Education has continued to establish guidance and counseling programs.
Further support of guidance and counseling in schools has been evidenced in a policy document Kenya Education Sector Support Program (KESSP 2005) detailing the government’s plan for education and guidance and counseling.
Most recently, the Ministry of Education has responded to students’ needs by introducing a new subject called social skills into the curriculum. This subject aims to equip students with skills for daily living. Guidance and counseling in Kenya have grown out of the need to address discipline problems in schools.
Current State Of Guidance and Counseling In Kenya.
School guidance and counseling in Kenya is a relatively new profession in search of an identity. The current practice of guidance and counseling is what Gushers and Henderson 2001 referred to as ‘position’ model where a majority of school counselors are teachers appointed to the position of guidance and counseling teacher, with no relief from their teaching duty and with no additional pay. Besides, counseling services are conducted without any formal organizational structure.
REFERENCES
http://ethics.ii.edu/ encodes/node/5132
Government of Kenya (1999). Integrated quality education and training (TIQET)
Gysbers N, C. (2004). Comprehensive School guidance and counseling. The evolution of accountability in professional school counseling.
https://www.counselingconnections.com/index-phone/2009/12/08/what-are-ethics.