Educational guidance is provided to the students so that they make the right decisions concerned with schools, courses, and co-curricular activities for their all round development. Educational guidance helps students to understand themselves better by recognising their interests, talents, abilities, skills, and potential. It also helps them to identify what are their strengths and weaknesses. Educational guidance prepares children for their future and as well help in their career development.
Brewer defined Educational guidance as “a Conscious effort to assist in the intellectual growth of an individual.”
Arthur A. Jones stated Educational Guidance “as the assistance given to pupils in their choices and adjustment with relation to schools, curriculum, courses and school life.”
According to Ruth Strang Educational Guidance “as something intended to aid the individual in choosing an appropriate program and in making progress in it.”
The different stages of educational guidance are as follows:
1). Educational Guidance at the Pre-Primary or Pre-school Stage
Educational guidance at this stage is to help the children adjust himself to the new life which is school. It deals in the development of the children with regards to their behaviour and personality. The teacher guides the children in every form during the classroom. The teacher can easily identify the personality of children, i.e., who is shy, smart, intelligent, dependent, fearful, active, aggressive, etc. As school is like a child’s second home and teacher is second parent, hence, they must guide the child in every path.
2). Educational Guidance at Elementary or Primary Stage of Education
This level of educational guidance focuses on the development of habits, attitudes, interests, skills, talents, and abilities of the students. The base foundation or development of the students is done at this stage. It emphasises on developing good habits and behaviour in students by instilling discipline in them. At this level, teachers must try to identify the potential each student possesses and utilise it for their betterment.
3). Educational Guidance at the Secondary School Stage
Students at the secondary stage are helped with problems concerning academic stress such as learning and exams. They are also faced with other kinds of problems like emotional, social,and physical issues related to educational choice. As there are several problems students face in this stage, all three levels of guidance, that are: educational, vocational and personal guidance is required at this level of education.
4). Educational Guidance at the Higher or University and College Stage
In this level, the students are fully matured and made aware of their rights and responsibilities. They are guided and provided direction on the reality of life. Each student has their own aims and goals to achieve in school and life. Schools provide students with facilities and opportunities to achieve their goals and showcase their talents and skills. Teachers are there to guide the students when and where students and lead them to the right path.
1). Educational Guidance
Educational guidance helps students overcome the problems faced at school. Educational guidance directs students to understand their interests, abilities, talents, skills, and potential. It provides assistance to students in choosing their school, course, and co-curricular activities.
2). Vocational Guidance
Vocational guidance is the guidance provided to the students to help them choose a field in the profession they are interested. It provides students with an idea on what they want to become when they grow up and promotes career development.
3). Personal Guidance
Personal Guidance is provided to the students with relation to personal problems. It may be related to academics, peer groups, families, society, etc.