Meaning of guidance

 The simple meaning of guidance can be understood as “to direct”, or “to show the path”.
 This can be defined as the help or assistance provided from the more experienced person to less
experienced person, guidance can be provided in all the fields.
 Guidance can be understood as a process that helps the individuals to recognize their strength,
limitations, etc. and help them to move on proper path.

Definitions

A J Jones, “Guidance is an assistance given to an individual in making intell

intelligent
igent choices and
adjustments.”

Crow and Crow. “Guidance is assistance made available by personally and adequately trained men or women to an individual of
any age to help him manage his own life activities, develop his own points of view, make his own de
decisions
cisions and carry his own
burdens.”

Kitson. “Guidance is ‘individualised education’. Each student is to be helped to develop himself to the maximum possible degree
in all respects.”

Guidance is a process.

• Input
• Setting Goals
• Making strategies
• Implementing Strategies
• Output
The term “guidance” has been defined by several psychologists, some definitions…

“Guidance is not giving directions. It is not the imposition of one person’s point of view upon another person. It is not making
mak decisions
for an individual which he should make for himself. It is not carrying the burden of another’s life. Rather, guidance is assistance made
available by personally qualified and adequately trained men or women to an individual of any age to help him manage his own life
active, development his own point of view, make this own decisio
decisions,
ns, and carry out his own burden”. Crow and Crow

“Guidance means to stimulate and help the students to set up worth

worth-while,
while, achievable purposes and develop abilities. Which will make it
possible for him to achieve his purpose? The essential elements are the setting up of purpose of provision of experiences, the
development of abilities, and the achievement of purposes. Teaching without intelligent guidance cannot be effective teaching or it is
incomplete. Teaching and guidance are inseparable.” Rincle and Gi
Gillkrist

“Guidance is continuous process of helping the individual development to the maximum of his capacity in the direction most beneficial
be
to himself and to society.” E.F. Lindquist
Characteristics of Guidance
-Guidance is usually given by qualified and
nd trained person to develop own point view of oneself: there are people who need help and
there are people who can help them;

-Guidance
Guidance and teaching are inseparable to one another;

-The intelligent guidance makes the teaching-learning

learning process most effecti
effective:
ve: teaching is incomplete without proper guidance;

-It
It is a continuous and life long process for all sphere or walk of life;

-It
It converts the reality into satisfaction to himself and benefit to society.

-It stimulates and helps the students to set-up

up wort
worthwhile. It is a process of development.

Nature of Guidance : We familiarize ourselves with the following characteristics after analyzing the
various definitions of guidance. This analysis also throws light on the nature of guidance.

1) As a Process : Guidance
ance does not occupy independent place. The chief aim of this process is to assist
in the development of an individual keeping in view the social needs.

2) A Continuous Process : Guidance is a process. Here, it is important to point out that the process of
guidance never ceases. It remains dynamic. In this process, an individual understands himself, learns to
use maximum his own capacities, interests and other abilities. He continues his struggle for adjustment
in different situations he develops his capaci
capacity of decision-making.
making. Hence, we see that it is a non-stop
non
process.
 3) Related with Life : The process of guidance is related to life. This guidance contributes formally or
informally to life because life experiences both formal and informal occasions. A person gets informal
guidance from his friends and relatives while formal guidance is sought from organised school guidance
services and other organised guidance services.

4) Development of Capacities : During the process of guidance the individual is assisted in such a way
that he makes himself enabled to develop his capacities maximum from all angles. Hence, guidance
stresses the complete development of possibilities present in an individual. An individual becomes
familiar with his real image. Hence, guidance is helpful in self-realization.

5) Individual Assistance : Guidance is accepted as individualized help. Through guidance an individual’s

personal development is provided a direction and not to a group. Hence, it is process of individualized
assistance.

6) Task of Trained Persons : Providing guidance is not the function of all persons because various
techniques and skills are to be used in it. Everybody does not possess the knowledge of the same. For
this task, trained persons psychologists and counselors are required. Hence, guidance is a skill-involved
process.

7) Wide Scope of Guidance : The scope of guidance is too wide. Any needy person can be guided. This
can include the persons of different age, different interests, various characteristics and persons of
different nature. Hence, we cannot draw boundaries around the process of guidance.

8) Helpful in Adjustment : Guidance helps the person in his adjustment in different situations. This
process allows learning to adjust with different types of problems. In this way, the main characteristic of
the nature of the guidance is to provide new energy to the demoralized person by adjusting himself in
the problematic situation through the process of guidance. 9) Helpful in Developing the Ability of Self-
Guidance : The nature of guidance also includes the characteristic of developing self-guidance is a
person with the help of guidance process. This enables him in achieving self-dependence by searching
out the solution of problems of life. 10)No Imposition of One’s View Point : It is also the main
characteristic of guidance not to impose one’s view point on others. It depends upon the wish of an
individual how he acquires benefit by accepting the decision of the guidance worker. If he wishes, he
may deny accepting such decisions of the guidance workers. Hence, it is not a process of imposing the
decisions. 11)Helpful in Preparing for Future : The process of guidance is helpful in preparing a person
for his future. Hence, a person can succeed in preparing himself for future activities. In this way,
guidance is a well-wisher of an individual’s future.

Need for Guidance

Guidance is needed at all times and the need for guidance is universal. It is based on the fact that guidance is needed by man
at one point or the other. Jones has rightly said, “Everyone needs assistance at some time in his life. Some will need constantly
and throughout their entire life, while others need it only at rare intervals at times of great crisis. There always have been and will
continue to be people with an occasional need for the help of the older or more experienced associates in meeting problem
situation”. Now a days there is a greater need of guidance, as there is an advancement in technology, social change, changes in
life styles, globalization, industrialization, expectations of people and change in the standards of moral values, all these contribute
to the need for guidance at every phase of life and at every sector.
 Personal Needs:

Due to the changing life style and social change, individuals are facing a lot of personal problems. As each person is different
and their needs are different, guidance is needed:

 During every development stage (adolescent years, adult years etc.)

 For the holistic/optimum development of an individual.
 For solving different problems of an individual.
 For triggering the abilities in an individual.
 To guide individuals on different phases of life (marriage, family, separation, empty nest phase etc.)

1.4.2 Educational Needs:

Educational sector is becoming competitive and there is a rapid expansion in the educational field. This has paved way to
guide students at every juncture, so they become successful and goal oriented individuals. Educational guidance can be rendered
for varied reasons such as:

 Academic growth and optimum achievement of an individual

 ·Guiding students in the proper allocation of diverse courses available.
 Guiding individuals to realize their strengths and to enable them to work on the skill.
 Guidance can be given for the qualitative improvement of the education sector.

1.4.3 Career / vocational Needs:

Individuals require guidance services while choices are made on the vocational needs.

 Guidance helps in improving the vocational efficiency of an individual.

 Vocational guidance helps in national development/ economic development.
 Awareness about the career options available.
 Balances in between the labour needs and the man power.

Guidance encompasses several key areas aimed at supporting individuals in their personal, educational,
and vocational development. Here are the primary areas of guidance:

Areas of Guidance

1. Educational Guidance:

- Purpose: Helps students navigate their educational paths, including subject selection and study
techniques.

- Components:

- Appraisal of personal characteristics and learning styles.

 - Support in adjusting to school environments and academic demands.

- Orientation towards educational opportunities and requirements.

- Development of effective study habits and coping strategies for academic challenges[1][2][5].

2. Vocational Guidance:

- Purpose: Assists individuals in making informed career choices and understanding job market
dynamics.

- Components:

- Exploration of career options based on individual interests, aptitudes, and market needs.

- Use of various assessments (e.g., aptitude tests) to match individuals with suitable career paths.

- Support in job placement and understanding vocational training opportunities.

3. Personal Guidance:

- Purpose: Addresses personal issues that may affect an individual's well-being and development.

- Components:

- Support for emotional and psychological challenges, such as anxiety or family issues.

- Development of interpersonal skills and self-awareness.

- Assistance in navigating social relationships and personal growth.

4. Health Guidance:

- Purpose: Focuses on promoting physical and mental health among individuals.

- Components:

- Providing information on healthy lifestyle choices.

- Support for managing stress, mental health issues, or physical health concerns.
5. Economic Guidance:

- Purpose: Helps individuals understand financial matters related to education and career choices.

- Components:

- Advice on budgeting for education expenses.

- Information on scholarships, financial aid, and economic opportunities related to vocational

training.

The objectives of guidance are essential for fostering personal, academic, and vocational development.
These objectives can be broadly categorized into several key areas:

Objectives of Guidance

1. Curriculum Guidance Objectives:

- Orientation: Facilitate the understanding of educational pathways for students, teachers, and
parents.

- Learning Difficulties: Identify, prevent, and address learning difficulties among students.

- Testing Programs: Organize comprehensive testing to assess student needs and progress.

- Curriculum Development: Participate in curriculum development and evaluate its outcomes to

ensure it meets student needs.

2. Personal Development Objectives:

- Identification of Learning Needs: Recognize the learning difficulties faced by students to provide
appropriate support.

- Prevention and Remedy: Prevent potential learning issues and offer solutions to those already
identified.

- Expert Referral: Refer students to specialists when necessary for further assistance.

- Follow-Up Support: Implement follow-up measures to ensure ongoing progress and adjustment.
3. Educational and Vocational Guidance Objectives:

- Counseling Support: Assist learners in understanding their educational and vocational aspirations in
relation to their abilities and achievements.

- Teacher Support: Help teachers employ effective methods to assist students in making informed
educational and vocational decisions.

- Parent Awareness: Raise awareness among parents about the importance of guidance programs for
their children’s development.

4. Holistic Development Objectives:

- Self-Understanding: Promote self-awareness among individuals regarding their strengths,

weaknesses, and potential.

- Decision-Making Skills: Enhance individuals' abilities to make informed decisions regarding their
education and careers.

- Adaptability: Equip individuals with skills to adapt to various life changes and challenges effectively.

These objectives highlight the comprehensive nature of guidance services, aiming not only at academic
success but also at the overall development of individuals, preparing them for future challenges in both
personal and professional spheres.

The principles of guidance serve as foundational guidelines for effective guidance practices in
educational and personal development contexts. Here are the key principles commonly recognized in
the field:

Principles of Guidance

1. Principle of All-Round Development:

- Guidance should aim at the holistic development of individuals, considering all aspects of their
personality—emotional, social, physical, and intellectual[1][2].
2. Principle of Individual Differences:

- Acknowledges that each individual is unique, with distinct characteristics and needs. Guidance must
be tailored to accommodate these differences[1][3].

3. Principle of Continuity:

- Guidance is a lifelong process that should continue throughout an individual's life, adapting to their
evolving needs at different stages[2][4].

4. Principle of Cooperation:

- Effective guidance requires the cooperation and consent of the individual seeking help. It should not
be imposed but rather embraced as a collaborative effort[2][3].

5. Principle of Holistic Development:

- Guidance must focus on the total development of an individual, recognizing that various aspects of a
person’s life are interconnected.

6. Principle of Flexibility:

- Guidance practices should be adaptable to meet the changing needs and circumstances of individuals
over time[1].

7. Principle of Responsibility: - Teachers, parents, and trained professionals share the responsibility for
providing guidance, ensuring that individuals receive appropriate support[1][3].

8. Principle of Expert Opinion:

- Serious guidance issues should be referred to qualified professionals who can provide specialized
assistance and insights[2][4].
9. Principle of Evaluation:

- Guidance programs should be regularly evaluated for effectiveness, allowing for adjustments and
improvements based on feedback and outcomes.

10. Principle of Accessibility:

- Guidance services should be available to all individuals, regardless of age or background, ensuring
that everyone has access to the support they need[2][4].

These principles collectively emphasize the importance of personalized, continuous, and cooperative
approaches in guidance, aiming to foster the overall development and well-being of individuals.