Educational counselling mainly refers to providing assistance and guidance to students in making the right choice in their studies, be it their educational plans, career aspirations, choice of stream and specialization as well as the selection of college or university as per their interest.
There have been several purposes and the need of guidance and counselling in the educational system like to increase in the number of students enrolled in institutions, workforce with skill, efficiency in the workplace, youths' intensifying needs, changes in the education system, institutional adjustment of students, home and family life reality and for the children with special needs etc. Guidance and counselling program in an educational setting provide the orientation services, appraisal services, informational services for vocation and education, placement and follow-up services. So, a counsellor tries to comprehend the problem and provides appropriate knowledge, information and awareness to the student to overcome the problems and live a good and a healthy life so that student can make wise decisions to achieve excellence in his/her career. Every student has their own battles to fight, so there is a need for a vision, which is easily obtained through guidance and counselling.
The two aspects counselling and guidance have been considered to be crucial in the field of education also. These are considered as the important educational tools in shaping the personality and basic orientation of a student. Regardless the level of education an individual is involved; can be elementary, primary, secondary or higher education. It may be formal or informal means of education; students may require counselling and guidance. An individual seek these two aspects undergoing stressful situations; so that they can be directed towards the right path; the major objective of these guidance and counselling facilities is to help the individual to acquire selfunderstanding
in order to be himself/herself, apparently socialize with others and make appropriate decisions to live a happy and healthy life. The areas in which they require counselling and guidance includes learning disabilities, underage drinking, using drugs and smoking, and even home conflict. Thus, they are not able to concentrate on their studies, scoring high becomes a problem for them in such situations. Students have different types and levels of home influence on academic and career achievement. The positive and the negative home influences affect their journey in one or another way, it has been seen that even two students having the same caliber leg behind the one of another for achieving the same goal in their career or academics. Students have to face anonymous problems due to lack of awareness, these types of problems can be solved and their paths can be smoothen through guidance and counselling at each stage of their education. Counselling and guidance facilities from a young age helps a child to tackle the negative ideas that might have been planted by his/her peers in school, college or any other. Thus, the need for a counsellor emerges to help children in molding their future which is extremely important. There is a huge importance and the role of a professional trainer is gaining prominence.
The primary goal of this review study is to comprehend the significance of educational guidance and counselling in a student's life, as well as the importance of various elements of success as a whole. The chapter will help students understand the history of educational counselling, concept and meaning of guidance and counselling in the educational sphere, as well as the various objectives or purposes of guidance and counselling, the need of guidance and counselling and their programme in educational settings.