Exploring the Challenges Faced by Bachelor of Education with Guidance and Counselling Students during Practicum

The main goal of this study is to explore the challenges faced by Bachelor of Education with Guidance and Counselling (B. Ed -G&C) students during their practicum, aiming to identify specific obstacles that hinder their professional development. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from a structured questionnaire administered to students from a public University in Kenya. The findings reveal six primary themes of challenges: logistical issues, resource-related deficiencies, role conflict and overload, relational dynamics, confidentiality and ethical concerns, and inadequacies in training and curriculum. Notably, logistical challenges, such as difficulties accessing counselling facilities and inadequate time allocation, were prevalent among 90% of respondents. Resource-related challenges, including insufficient clients and referral documents, further limited the students’ practical training. The study highlights the dual roles of teaching and counselling as a significant stressor and emphasizes the relational issues stemming from negative attitudes among students, staff, and administration. Ethical challenges concerning confidentiality were also identified, indicating a critical gap in the students’ preparedness for real-world counselling scenarios. The paper concludes with targeted recommendations to enhance the practicum experience, ultimately fostering the growth of competent and resilient counsellors capable of meeting the increasing demand for mental health services.