Secondary schools as the breeding ground for future professionals have a responsibility to provide robust career guidance. In the journey of education, secondary schools play a pivotal role in shaping the future of students. Understanding the significance of these formative years, secondary schools in Nigeria are not merely institutions for academic learning but serve as crucial influencers in helping students make fulfilling career choices.
The number of secondary schools has increased tremendously as populations had grown over the years at a geometric rate thereby putting serious pressures on facilities and standards of education generally in the country. Lagos, for instance, has more than 650 public secondary schools as of the year 2017. This has led to a decline in the performance of students in external examinations. Experts have identified the causes of this low performance to be lack of proper teaching facilities, insufficient qualified teaching staff, lack of budget for relevant training for teachers, poverty within the society, and laziness on the part of students to mention a few. It is also on records that many public and private secondary schools in Nigeria don’t have or make provision for career counselors and programs which are important to the educational and general development of every student.
1. To Make Provision For Career Seminars Within The School Calendar.
School owners and authorities should inculcate career and academic excellence seminars for their students regularly and especially in their annual school calendar. This will go a long way in addressing the challenges the students they might be facing. There are people and organizations that can render this service to your school at an affordable rate, that can organizes career, academic success/excellence, and leadership seminars for schools . These seminars have the potential of boosting the self-esteem of students, impacting them with success principles that ultimately challenge them to be the best in their academics and other endeavors and improves their academic grades both in internal and external examinations.
2. To Engage them in services of a Career Coach.
Engaging the services of a career coach or counselor for students is also very important. There are many trained and certified coaches or counselors who specialized in addressing any career challenges that might be facing students. School owners and government authorities would do well by hiring these experts either on a part/full–time basis. Teenagers are faced with all manners of problems and distractions in modern times and of which making a sound career choice is one of them. A career coach would address such issues either on a one-on-one or group basis which will help the students in becoming better for their future Career.
3. Early Exposure to Diverse Fields
The role of secondary schools begins with exposing students to a variety of career options.
4. Career Talks and Workshops
5. Extracurricular Activities
Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities fosters holistic development. Whether it’s sports, arts, or clubs, these activities can help students discover their interests beyond the academic realm.
Conclusion
The role of secondary schools in helping students to make meaningful career choices cannot be overemphasized as this goes a long way in improving the quality of education the students will receive and the quality of lives and roles such will live and play within the society in future. A properly guided student or youth through career, academic excellence, or leadership seminars will achieve success faster and easier than the one without any mentorship program. The school will benefit from such students and programs as their overall image will be greatly enhanced when their students become change agents within the society and making positive references to their Alma mater.