Counselors’, teachers’, and students’ perceptions of the effectivness of existing career guidance services in Lebanese private schools

Abstract

This study was designed to explore the perceived effectiveness of career guidance practices currently taking place between grades 10 -12 within in Lebanese private secondary schools. The purpose of the research was to: (a) explore existing career services and practices in the context of Lebanese secondary private schools, (b) examine the perspective of secondary school counselors, teachers and students in relation to the effectiveness of these services and practices and (c) compare the perceived effectiveness of services and practices from the perspective of school counselors, teachers and students. This research adopted the mixed type research using teachers’ and students’ questionnaires and semi-structured interviews for counselors as data collection tools. A sample of up to 200 students were purposely selected to take part in this research. A sample of up to 100 teachers whom were in contact with students in grades 10, 11 and 12 were also part of the study. In addition, up to 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with school counselors. Data were analyzed and interpreted and findings mostly showed that teachers perceived current career guidance practices as being effective tools that helped secondary students more than what students perceived themselves. Findings also showed that the perspective of counselors varied and they highlighted a number of limitations in application and implementation based on their experience with schools and students in Lebanon. Based on the findings, counselors and teachers recommended allocating more time for training sessions and career guidance activities within school hours. Recommendations also highlighted the importance of training counselors and professionals in order to better implement career guidance activities and practices and to adopt standardized curriculum that is designed to address students’ needs, abilities and interests in terms of their career future.