Implementation of Guidance and Counseling Services to Improve Student Well-Being At At-Taubah Islamic Junior High School

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of Guidance and Counseling (GC) services at SMP IT At-Taubah, an Islamic integrated junior high school in Karawang, West Java. The issue addressed in this research lies in the gap between the ideal goals of school-based counseling to develop students holistically in academic, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects and the practical challenges faced in real educational settings. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through observation and semi-structured interviews with one school counselor and three students. The findings show that Guidance and Counseling (GC)  services are implemented through three main models: classical guidance, group guidance, and individual counseling, with classical guidance being the most dominant as it is integrated into the school curriculum. Strong support from principals, teachers, and student councils, as well as collaboration with Islamic Education (PAI) teachers, enhances the effectiveness of the program by embedding moral and spiritual values into the counseling process. However, challenges such as limited facilities and students’ reluctance to be open remain significant barriers. The study concludes that the success of Guidance and Counseling (GC)   services depends not only on counselors but also on collective school participation, fostering an environment that supports students’ academic success, character formation, and emotional well-being.