CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

The teaching and research functions of higher educational institutions play avery important role in national development, especially in the development ofhigh-level manpower. However, in most cases, the societal expectations in terms ofgoals are hardly met and part of the explanation is linked to the absence ofadequate and conducive environment for effective learning. To achieve thisobjective, adequate provision of certain services to students should be fostered foreffective teaching and learning process. Among these are the student-personnelservices. Student personnel services in this context, refers to all the non-academicservices rendered to the students at the schools setting outside the formalclassroom instruction, for the purpose of healthy, physical, emotional, social andmoral development as part of their preparation for a responsible and productiveadult life. These services are complementary to the academic programme inmaking a holistic and balanced education of the students. While the task ofintellectual and skill development can be accomplished through curriculumplanning and implementation, the task of developing responsible attitudes andmorals can only be achieved through the provision and administration of studentpersonnel services.

Although student personnel services has received very little attention inprofessional literature and social administration, Duffy in Ejionume (2010)