Influence of Self-Esteem on Students’ Discipline in Secondary Schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

The aim of this study was to examining the influence of self-esteem on students’ discipline in secondary schools in Tharaka -Nithi County, Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A sample size of 340 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling technique. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the 301 form three students, 13 heads of curriculum, 13 deputy head-teachers and 13 heads of guidance and counseling. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Data collected was analyzed by use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Inferential statistics included Chi-Square test. The study found out that there was significant influence of self-esteem on students’ discipline (Chi-square value=30.04, df=12,sig(p-value)=0.003).This implies that an improvement of self-esteem enhances students’ discipline in secondary schools. The study recommends the need to build self-esteem among students. This will guarantee good discipline in secondary schools. It is anticipated that the findings of the current study will provide necessary information useful to the policy makers, academician, students, teachers, school administration and other stakeholders to enhance discipline of students in secondary schools in Kenya. Keywords: Discipline; Self-esteem; Secondary schools; Student