Roles of Parents and Teachers in Career Choice Among Junior High School Students in Ningo-prampram District In Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated the involvement of parents, teachers, and students in career choice among Junior High School students in the Ningo-Prampram District. A convergent parallel mixed method design was used to conduct the research. A multi-stage sample technique was used to choose 90 teachers, 400 students, and 12 parents. Parents' information was gathered through an interview guide, while teachers' and students' information was gathered using a questionnaire. The qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis, while the quantitative data was analyzed using means and standard deviation. Parents were found to have a significant influence on their children's profession choices. The study found that teachers have a considerable impact on students' career choices. Teachers achieve this through offering job information to students, counselling them on potential career alternatives, and keeping track of their personality traits and job interests. The study further revealed that students took career advice from peers, share career information with peers, look-up for peers’ careers. Also, their academic performance, confidence and interest in the subject play significant roles in their career interest. It was proposed that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with administrators, strengthen the skills of parents and teachers through training, workshops, and conferences so that they can better support their children in making good career choices. As a result, career counselling services may promote decision-making behaviour indirectly