A Comparative Study of the Need for Educational Guidance Among Male and Female Students at the Secondary Level

Educational guidance is a continuous process of assisting the individual student to reach their optimum level of educational development. According to the Dictionary of Education (1973), it is a process that helps individuals understand both themselves and their environment, enabling them to use that knowledge to make better choices regarding their education and career Since the inception of the formal education system, students have consistently faced diverse challenges. Wherever such problems exist, there is an inherent need for guidance. Objective: To study the educational guidance needs of students at the secondary level. Methodology: A questionnaire was developed, and data was collected using the cluster sampling method. Statistical analysis was performed using a t-test. Findings: The study utilized a t-test to determine if the difference in educational guidance needs between genders was statistically significant. Higher Need in Females: The mean score for female students (79.83) is notably higher than that for male students (75.68). This suggests that female students in the Kumaun division perceive a greater requirement for assistance in navigating their educational choices, study habits, and academic challenges.